While rookie scoring leader Artemi Panarin of the Chicago Blackhawks and Buffalo's Jack Eichel were being held to a single point over the past week, Edmonton's Connor McDavid continued his surge.

In three games this week McDavid had a goal and four assists to bring his season totals to 15 goals and 30 assists in 41 games. That 45 points now places him two behind Arizona's Max Domi and five behind Eichel's 50. Panarin is still in front with 64 points on the season while Detroit's Dylan Larkin remained at 43.

McDavid's five assists came in three games last week and vaulted him into second place amongst rookies in that category. With 30 on the year he still trails Panarin by nine and with only four games left for the Oilers so it's a longshot for him to get to the top. Even though Panarin's been in a bit of a slump with only two assists in the last eight games, there doesn't seem to be enough track for McDavid to catch him. Plus the Blackhawks have six more games to play.

Rounding out the top-five in assists are Domi (29,) Eichel (27,) and Philadelphia's Shane Gostisbehere (25.)

There's probably only one category where Panarin can be caught this year and that's goals. Although he still leads with 25, Eichel's goal on Saturday gave him 23 on the season. Panarin has hit a drought going goalless in his last eight while Eichel has been chipping away with six goals in his last 10 games. The Sabres also have one more game to play than the Blackhawks and at his present pace, there's a good chance Eichel can overtake Panarin for the rookie goal-scoring crown.

Larkin and Buffalo's Sam Reinhart are tied for third place with 21 goals each while Domi rounds out the top-five with 18 goals.

Of note. Eichel, Reinhart and the Buffalo Sabres travel to Detroit this evening to take on Larkin and the Red Wings.



Rookie leaders:

Points

Panarin--64
Eichel--50
Domi--47
McDavid--45
Larkin--43

Goals

Panarin--25
Eichel--23
Larkin--21
Reinhart--21
Domi--18

Assists

Panarin--39
McDavid--30
Domi--29
Eichel--27
Gostisbehere--25

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