NHL scores 2017: It’s time to stop pitting Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid against one another

Hockey fans were treated to another gorgeous offering from Connor McDavid last night. While we were all out singing Sidney Crosby’s — very, very well deserved — praises, McDavid put up a two-point night and added another fabulous goal to his increasing repertoire.

Wednesday was just the latest example of this back and forth between Crosby and McDavid, and another piece of ammunition for fans in their debate over who’s better. It’s a conflict that’s boiled over multiple times on Twitter, on comment threads, and honestly, it’s made me miss the Team Edward and Team Jacob days of old.

Because guys, spoiler alert, the NHL is allowed to have more than one incredible, game-changing player! A shocking revelation, I know, but hear me out please.

Instead of these arduous fights over who deserves a trophy — and it’s not even the most important one! — we should be celebrating these Olympian feats of hockey skill. The NHL’s quality of competition has never been higher than it is right now. Hockey players old and new are doing marvelous things on the ice, and that should excite you as a fan of this sport.

Crosby and McDavid aren’t alone in this either. Take the Calder Trophy debate with Auston Matthews and Patrik Laine. Or add Brad Marchand to the Hart Trophy list and you’ll have a grand old time.

All of these players are fantastic in their own right, but not all will get rewarded for their greatness. The younger players like McDavid, Matthews, and Laine will have more chances in the future, and even then they might not win. Such is life!

So please, hockey fans, stop and enjoy the show. Smell the roses. Drink in these ephemeral moments of hockey greatness while they last. We’ll all be better off for it.

Maple Leafs 5, Blue Jackets 2
Islanders 3, Rangers 2
Ducks 4, Oilers 3

1. The Maple Leafs are surging at the right time

The wild card race is really all about putting the pedal to the metal at the precise moment. Teams can burn bright after the trade deadline, but flare out before the finish line. Others take too long to start up and miss the playoffs by mere points.

Toronto seems to be hitting that rare sweet spot that all teams strive for with their 5-2 win over the already playoff-bound Blue Jackets. Goals from five different players, and two rookies, have the Maple Leafs riding a 6-1-1 record since early March.

With the win, the Maple Leafs take over the third spot in the Atlantic Division with 83 points. Quite a month.

2. The wild card race is becoming clearer in the East

With Tampa Bay falling off the pace, for now, the wild card looks to be coming down to two teams: the Bruins and the Islanders. New York helped their cause by besting the Rangers with a late goal from Andrew Ladd.

Now the Islanders are two points back of the Bruins for that last wild card spot. We could be looking at three different teams within striking distance by this time next week, but the Islanders are putting themselves in good position.

3. Anaheim reclaims their Pacific Division spot from Edmonton

The Ducks got a much-needed win on Wednesday with their 4-3 victory over the Oilers. Thanks to the win, Anaheim has jumped over Edmonton for the second place spot in the Pacific — where the Ducks have been for a good portion of the year.

William Nylander’s 20th goal of the season was the all-important game-winner for Toronto.