FEATURE: Mulling milestones

EDMONTON, AB - It's been a banner year individually for more than a handful of Edmonton Oilers.
But they'd trade it all for a chance at a banner.
The 76th game of the season on Tuesday, ending in an 8-4 demolishing of the Los Angeles Kings, provided the stage for a number of Oilers to set, or inch closer to, new career highs and milestones.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Leon Draisaitl both improved on career years with hat-tricks - the first time two Oilers had three or more goals in the same game since Paul Coffey and Jari Kurri did it on December 20, 1985 (also against the Kings).
"It's been a while since it's happened in the league, so it was pretty cool," Nugent-Hopkins said. "When [McDavid and Draisaitl] got that 2-on-1 late, it's pretty standard that it's going in with those two guys. It was pretty special, but a lot better when you get the win."

Draisaitl is now one point away from a century of points and four goals off a 50-goal campaign. Both would be career firsts.
"It's always nice to see guys get rewarded," forward Colby Cave said. "We're all pushing for Leon to score 50, so that's special too. Scoring that hat-trick goes a long way for him getting there."
The German is always one of the firsts to say he'd trade a number of those goals for a return to the playoffs, displaying the common sense of selflessness that's present throughout the locker room.
"We wouldn't be in the position we're in without those goals, either," Cave said of his teammate. "He's just trying to be a humble guy. That's the kind of guy he is and that's how everyone is in the dressing room. Those guys are obviously leading the way, so us young guys we just have to keep following like that."
Connor McDavid continues to do Connor McDavid things after tallying four points to help push the captain up to a new career-high in points at 112. Two assists for Alex Chiasson means the Montreal, Quebec product has 36 points on the season, eclipsing his previous career best for points and displaying his potential as a top-half offensive player who can find ways to contribute.

"I think with everything that happened last night with the two hat tricks and all that going on, to be honest I kind of forgot about that for a little bit," Chiasson said. "Fair to say it's been somewhat of a crazy year from where it all started to where it is now. I'm super happy for myself, but also for the opportunity I've had this year to contribute offensively.
"I think for me, I'm hopeful that the way I've played this year can help the team moving forward. The addition to some of my character and the way I play the game, I hope I've helped the team."
Zack Kassian scored his career-best 15th goal of the season, and Adam Larsson recorded his 100th career NHL assist. Sam Gagner, who's only 40 days into his second stint with the club, also got in on the action by playing in his 500th game as an Oiler.
But the recurring theme, time and time again, when speaking with the players is their willingness to sacrifice individual success for collective gain. Those who've been to the dance know the weight it carries.
"The main thing for us is making the playoffs and getting wins as a team," Nugent-Hopkins said. "When you have individual success, it doesn't mean much when the team isn't doing as well. We're still pushing here and we're still in the hunt, so we're going to keep pushing. Individually, we're going to keep going there and the points come when the team is doing well."