It's exciting to see McDavid performing at such a high level in the playoffs. With 15 assists already, he's certainly on pace to challenge Gretzky's record of 31 assists in a single postseason. Given the context of weaker performances from other teams like Dallas and Colorado, the Oilers do seem to have a strong chance to advance deep into the playoffs.
Comparing McDavid's current pace and his recent regular-season performance, it's clear he's in exceptional form. If he continues at this rate, breaking Gretzky's assist record is within reach. This would be a remarkable achievement, considering the legacy of Gretzky's playoff records.
As for the Conn Smythe Trophy, it typically goes to the most valuable player in the playoffs, and if McDavid breaks the assist record, he'd have a strong case for it, even if the Oilers don't win the Stanley Cup. His contributions are not just in scoring but in playmaking, which can be just as crucial to his team's success. Historically, the Conn Smythe has been awarded to players who have had a significant impact on their team's playoff run, regardless of whether they won the Cup. For instance, players like Jean-Sébastien Giguère and Ron Hextall have won it despite their teams falling short in the finals.
Ultimately, if McDavid continues this level of play and breaks the assist record, it would be hard to argue against him deserving the Conn Smythe, given how central he would have been to the Oilers' performance throughout the playoffs.