December belongs to Connor McDavid as his scoring explosion reignites Edmonton Oilers’ fading season

Connor McDavid has a habit of changing the temperature of a season without warning. When his game rises, it lifts teammates, rattles opponents, and shifts how the league talks about Edmonton. December has once again become his proving ground, a month where his pace sharpens and his decisions arrive a half second sooner than everyone else’s.

What looked ordinary early has turned electric, and the Oilers are feeling the pull.The timing matters. As the NHL settles into its grind and teams search for identity, McDavid is finding clarity. His recent production is not just about points. It reflects control, patience, and a willingness to attack every inch of ice. With the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy approaching, this surge reads like a reminder rather than a surprise.

When the calendar flips, the captain flips a switch with it.

Connor McDavid’s December hot streak ignites Oilers momentum

The numbers only tell part of the story, but they are loud. McDavid piled up 20 points in his last seven games, mixing goals with vision and relentless pressure. Against Pittsburgh, he scored twice and added two assists in a 6-4 win. Days earlier, Toronto felt the same heat as he posted two goals and an assist. Detroit had no answers either, watching him dish out four assists while firing shots from everywhere.

Thirty three shots in that span show a player hunting chances, not waiting for them.

One moment against the Penguins captured his edge. At 11 minutes, 52 seconds of the first period, McDavid split the defense and finished clean on the power play, beating goaltender Stuart Skinner. Speed met balance. Skill met intent. Plays like that explain why he now leads the NHL with 36 assists, sits tied for fourth with 20 goals, and owns 56 points that rank second overall.Fans noticed immediately. The league’s own post on X hinted at what was coming, and the reactions poured in. One message summed up the mood perfectly. "McDavid started relatively pedestrian, and suddenly returned to PEAK form this month. 🐐" Another added, "Absolutely, McDavid’s brilliance is a force to be reckoned with."This run has also strengthened Edmonton’s spine. Leon Draisaitl crossed 1,000 career points in the same Penguins game, and the duo has now produced four or more points together 12 times. The Oilers are 5-1-1 in their last seven, sitting at 16-12-6 and firmly in the playoff chase. With the power play humming and McDavid driving every shift, December feels familiar again. When he heats up, the league listens.Also Read: Are Auston Matthews and Craig Berube drifting apart as Maple Leafs struggles spark tense locker-room speculation?