TORONTO — Just because Rick Tocchet respects the Edmonton Oilers' incredible 16-game win streak doesn't mean he's rooting for them to add one more.
The Vancouver Canucks head coach was a key member of the 1992-93 Pittsburgh Penguins, who currently hold the NHL record for most consecutive wins at 17.
So, yes, Tocchet is keeping a close eye on what Connor McDavid & Co. are doing these days.
"I hate when guys say they want people to break their records. I don't want them to break our record," Tocchet said Thursday at All-Star Media Day. "But it is impressive. That team is playing lights out. Very dangerous."
The difference between the Oilers' run and Tocchet's Penguins', which stretched from March 9 to April 14 of 1993, is advent of 3-on-3 overtime and shootouts to help eliminate tie games.
The Oilers' 16-game streak includes one shootout victory and a pair of OT wins.
The Penguins' record-breaking bunch had their 17-game streak end with a 6-6 tie to the New Jersey Devils. They won their following three games.
"To win 17 in a row, you know you're on a roll. Like Edmonton is," Tocchet said.
"But there was a couple of games we didn't deserve. Ulf Samuelsson scored in overtime to beat Montreal [for then-record-setting win 15]," Tocchet remembered. "A lot of things gotta go your way. Obviously, a hot goaltender. Things like that."
The Oilers will attempt to tie Tocchet and the Penguins' record Tuesday in Las Vegas, against heated rival the Golden Knights.
"It's exciting to get that opportunity. Seventeen is a number that's not reached very many times. It's only been reached once," McDavid said. "So our group, to have a chance to do that on Tuesday, is special."
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