'You just need to watch him': Connor McDavid hitting new highs ahead of Olympic debut

Connor McDavid shines in big moments.

Now the Edmonton Oilers captain is on the brink of one of his biggest moments yet — his first Olympics.

"It's the biggest sporting event in the world and to do it together with 25 of Canada's best hockey players, it's a dream come true, it really is," McDavid said.

"I know everybody feels the same way and we're just looking for the opportunity to go over and play."

Heading into Milano Cortina 2026, the 29-year-old superstar centre from Richmond Hill, Ont., has once again found ways to elevate his game.

He's helped the Oilers to back-to-back Stanley Cup final appearances, and currently leads the NHL in points with 34 goals and 52 assists across 58 games this season. The tally includes the 36 points he amassed over a career-best 20-game point streak in December and January, where he put up 19 goals and 17 assists.

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McDavid graces highlight reels nearly every night, pirouetting around defenders, threading no-look passes through traffic jams and leaving goaltenders flummoxed.

"This is the best I've seen Connor play for this long of a stretch," said Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch.

"And whether that's just him playing well or him being focused on the Olympics, I'm not sure. But obviously that is on his mind. He wants to do well there."

This latest level hasn't stunned the teammates who've worked alongside him in Edmonton for 11 seasons.

"I'm not surprised," said Leon Draisaitl. "I just see the work he puts in. I see how badly he wants to be at that level each and every night, each and every day. And there's not much that surprises me with him."

Long considered the best player in the world, McDavid always plays at an elite