Finding the scoresheet in historic fashion isn't the only thing Connor McDavid feels he's excelled at in his eighth NHL season.

The Edmonton Oilers captain said he feels much more comfortable using his influence as the face of the NHL now than when he entered the league as one of the most highly regarded prospects ever.

"(Being guarded), it worked, it got me through that time," McDavid told NHL.com's Mike Zeisberger. "Now, like I said, I'm 26 years old, I've been around the league a long time, and I feel more comfortable just being me."