You could feel it in the air. Connor McDavid would hit 100 points on Saturday, even though he still needed four points to get there.

He flew off the blocks by scoring a goal in the opening minute. 97, to match his jersey number.

Nearly seven minutes into the second period, he assisted on Jesse Puljujarvi's goal. 98.

Five minutes later, J.T. Miller took an interference penalty on McDavid. On the ensuing power play, McDavid assisted on Leon Draisaitl's goal. That goal was the 500^th point of Draisaitl's career in the 475^th game of his career. Yes, props to Draisaitl for being a career point-per-game player, even though he is forever known at Frozen Tools for the Draisaitl Hat Trick (goal, assist, minus-1). 99, to match Gretzky's jersey number.

Then, late in the second period, the Oilers received a 5-on-3 power play, thanks to penalties to Tyler Myers and Travis Hamonic. As a Canucks fan, I was 97 percent sure it would happen here. It didn't happen right away in the 5-on-3, making me wonder if the Canucks would actually kill this penalty. But then McDavid passes to Draisaitl, who puts it past Thatcher Demko for his second goal of the night. 100 points in just 53 games!

100 points. 53 games.

Remember this day, Connor McDavid (@cmcdavid97). pic.twitter.com/NJl7ChreXW

— NHL (@NHL) May 9, 2021

How incredible is 100 points in 53 games? For starters, it's nearly two points per game (1.89 PTS/GP, to be exact). If he played a full season, that would be a 155-point pace, which we have not seen since… (looks down)… Mario Lemieux in 1995-96 (161 points).

I know, he would have to do this over a full season. And he'd have to do it against a wider variety of teams than the somewhat defensively-challenged units in the North. Barring injury, does anyone think he won't lead the league in scoring next season? He's 21 points clear of second-place Draisaitl at the moment.

Even though McDavid has reached that 100-point milestone, there's still more season left for him. Two games in Montreal, followed by the Oilers' season finale at home against Vancouver again. It will be interesting to see what that final number will turn out to be.  

–

Before play began on Saturday, reports surfaced that COVID protocols would be relaxed for teams that have been fully vaccinated. This is great news for the players hoping to see the light at the end of the tunnel, although it will likely only benefit US-based teams since they are more likely to be fully vaccinated than Canadian-based teams. Between that and the possible relocation of the North Division winner to the US for the Stanley Cup semifinals, I wonder if this presents a disadvantage to whoever Canada's team is. (I say that in jest, because I know all of Canada won't stand behind whichever team wins that division, although that has been a practice of many Canadians in the past.)  

–

Speaking of which, if you're already in playoff pool mode, you'll be happy to know that you can reserve your playoff draft list at Dobber Sports. It will be available for download at the end of the season. Once it's ready, you can set the teams you believe will win each playoff series and advance to the final, or simply use Dobber's picks if you're not sure which teams to pick.

–

The Mika Zibanejad – Pavel Buchnevich – Alexis Lafreniere unit looked strong against the Bruins on Saturday afternoon, particularly in the third period. Zibanejad scored twice while firing six shots, Lafreniere scored once, while Buchnevich assisted on all three goals, which were all scored in the third period. The way that Lafreniere fit in with this scoring line makes his prospects for next season appear particularly promising. As well, Lafreniere's splits by quarter show gradual improvement as he has gained more NHL experience.

Quarter	GP	G	A	PTS	SOG
1	13	1	0	1	20
2	13	3	3	6	15
3	16	3	3	6	19
4	14	5	3	8	13

In spite of logging what appear to be the equivalent of low-end second-unit power-play minutes (ninth among Rangers regulars), Lafreniere did not record a single power-play point all season. More power-play time and better conversion will surely help the 2020 first overall pick's numbers next season.

Tuukka Rask's results on Saturday did not look great (five goals allowed on 23 shots), but the Bruins defense allowed numerous high-danger scoring opportunities in the third period, particularly to the line mentioned above. A matchup with the Artemi Panarin-less Rangers seemed like a strong one for two periods, but then Rask allowed four goals in the third period.

Third-stringer Keith Kinkaid was given the start in the Rangers' last game of the season, but he left the game in the third period after stretching out for a save. Igor Shesterkin allowed two goals on nine shots for anyone who left him in their lineups.

–

Just as the most recent draft's first overall pick ended his season on a high note, the third overall pick recorded his first NHL hat trick (and first multi-goal game, for that matter). Tim Stutzle finished his game with three goals (one on the power play), a plus-3, and five shots. Stutzle entered this game with just one point in his last six games, so as much as the 19-year-old has a high ceiling, he's not necessarily consistent enough to be at must-start levels at this point.

Stutzle's linemates also had an impressive game. Connor Brown scored a goal and assisted on both of Stutzle's goals. He's on another goal-scoring streak – this one at three games, with a plus-7 over that span. Propelled by his eight-game goal streak earlier this season, Brown has reached 20 goals. Probably not what you expected in the shortened season, but a career-high 17.2 SH% has aided that.

Also on the Stutzle line, Shane Pinto recorded two assists. That gives him five points in his last five games and six points in 10 NHL games. He looks like he will be a regular on the Sens next season. For more on Pinto, see his Dobber Prospects profile.

Looking ahead to the future, Ottawa has eight wins in its last 10 games. With a young, talented core, they're not going to be a pushover for much longer.

–

With the Penguins already qualified for the playoffs, Maxime Lagace was given the start on Saturday. He responded with a 29-save shutout of the Sabres in his first start of the season. Hey, nice streamer start if you were able to get it.

Jeff Carter followed up his four-goal outburst on Thursday with the only goal the Penguins needed on Saturday. Carter has five goals and eight shots over his past two games, forming a surprisingly strong third line with Jared McCann and Frederick Gaudreau, who assisted on Carter's goal.

Evgeni Malkin left this game early with an injury, but it isn't expected to affect his status for the playoffs.

–

Even after the Florida cross-state playoff series was confirmed on Friday, the Lightning and Panthers still had to face each other two more times. They took care of one of those matchups on Saturday, complete with 149 total penalty minutes. I bet you're looking forward to this series.   

After Andrei Vasilevskiy didn't start either of the back-to-backs against Detroit last weekend, there was some worry that he would get rested until the playoffs. Fantasy owners who rode Vasilevskiy's success were treated to a 20-save win on Wednesday. However, he did not come through on Saturday against the Panthers, allowing five goals on 35 shots to the Panthers. He should be okay for the playoffs, although Florida have given notice that they will not be an easy matchup for the defending Stanley Cup champions.

Victor Hedman was held out on Saturday with a lower-body injury. According to Chris Johnston of HNIC, this has been a nagging issue that Hedman will require surgery for after season, but he plans to play in the playoffs anyway. This is something to keep in mind if you are drafting Hedman in playoff pools, as he might not be 100 percent. The question is will his recovery time spill into next season (and clear up cap space for the Bolts again!)

Sam Bennett returned to the Panthers lineup on Saturday, and he delivered with a goal, assist, and 12 penalty minutes. That's 15 points in 10 games as a Panther for Bennett, which sets a team record. Don't tell that to the Flames fan that you know.

I almost missed that Alex Wennberg recorded a hat trick in this game, which is his second hat trick of the season. His goals/assists ratio has changed considerably since moving from Columbus. Wennberg has a career-high 16 goals this season, but he currently sits at a career-low 12 assists. His points-per-game average has improved over that of his last two seasons in Columbus, which makes him one of many players whose value has improved with a move to Florida this season.

–

Remember when I told you yesterday to stay on your toes with any last-minute lineup issues? Yeah, I didn't take my own advice, although it didn't end up hurting me in the end. John Carlson was a last-minute scratch with a lower-body issue, possibly the same one that held him out recently. Life got in the way during the half-hour window that I had to update my roster.

The Capitals have no shortage of injury issues at the moment. No Alex Ovechkin or Evgeny Kuznetsov. Then T.J. Oshie left the game with a lower-body injury. Tom Wilson also had an injury scare when he collided knee-on-knee with Nicolas Aube-Kubel during the first period and needed help off the ice. Wilson returned for the second period, however.

–

Luke Kunin's two goals turned out to be the difference for the Nashville Predators, who have clinched the final playoff spot in the Central with a win over Carolina. The team they face? None other than Carolina. This was a team that was about to sell assets like Mattias Ekholm at the trade deadline, but their season started to turn around in mid-March with the stellar play of Juuse Saros.

Meanwhile, Dallas will miss the playoffs after going to Stanley Cup Final in the bubble last season. I know that the COVID shutdown to start the season really affected them, but I wonder if fatigue from the playoff run last season was also a factor.

The Stars play out the season on Sunday and Monday against the Blackhawks. If you still have a fantasy season left, this is something to consider regarding Tyler Seguin and Roope Hintz, who have both battled injuries this season.

I would expect we've seen the last of at least Tyler Seguin and Roope Hintz this season. If so, Hintz goes out on a three-point game and an official point-per-game season. Seguin two goals in three games.

— Saad Yousuf (@SaadYousuf126) May 9, 2021

–

I thought that Ryan Miller would have played his final game at home last Saturday against LA. However, he was given one more start in Minnesota to close out the Ducks' season. The Ducks were down 3-1 to end the second period, but scored two third-period goals, including a goal from Max Comtois in the final minute with the net empty to tie the game. Unfortunately, Miller could not finish the job and earn a win in his final game, as the Wild scored in OT.

Get out your tissues. I mean it. Congratulations to Miller on an incredible career.

Ryan Miller shares an emotional moment with his parents after his last NHL game. 🧡 pic.twitter.com/mEqAYk6Bkq

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 9, 2021

–

Sources have told Aaron Portzline that John Tortorella won't return as Blue Jackets coach next season, although the team hasn't formally announced anything. According to Elliotte Friedman, the 63-year-old Tortorella does not want to retire and still wants to coach, although it appears he wants to coach a different team. This is no surprise with Columbus missing the playoffs and Torts having difficulties with players such as Pierre-Luc Dubois and Patrik Laine. Six seasons is a long time for an autocratic coach like Torts, as coaches of that style usually have a certain shelf life before their message is tuned out. I wrongly assumed Torts was done after his one season in Vancouver and then he managed six more in Columbus, so I think he could still land with a team looking to shake an underachieving core.

–

Under the radar with all the McDavid stuff and West playoff spots already clinched was the late-game hat trick from Reilly Smith. Surprisingly, it was the first hat trick of his career, which he achieved by taking seven shots as well. It's unfortunate if you moved Smith to your bench or waiver wire, as he will finish with what will easily be the lowest point-per-game total (currently 0.45 PTS/GP) of his career. However, Smith currently has a three-game goal streak and a five-game point streak, so he might be a sneaky late-round playoff pool pickup should Vegas go on a long run.

–

This was one of those nights where there was so much going on that I probably missed something important, but at the same time I've rambled on long enough. So if this is it for your fantasy season, I hope it ended with a championship. If not, then hopefully 2021-22 will be a more "normal" season for you. And remember that it's impossible to win every season. If you still have games to play, good luck on what's left, and I'll be back next week to discuss whatever there is left to discuss of the regular season with an eye toward the playoffs.

In the meantime, for more fantasy hockey discussion, or to reach out to me, you can follow me on Twitter @Ian_Gooding