"Obviously it's not that surprising what he's been able to do," McDavid told Sportsnet. "I think the way he's been able to score goals and find ways to get open is really amazing. Definitely not surprised at all."

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid called Sidney Crosby "the best player in the world" on Thursday after Crosby caught him for first place in the NHL with his 42nd point.

The Pittsburgh Penguins captain scored Wednesday in his fifth straight game, a 3-2 win against the Carolina Hurricanes, and is on a six-game point streak (five goals, four assists). He leads the NHL with 26 goals, seven more than three players tied for second. Crosby, who has 16 assists, missed the first six games of the season with a concussion.

Video: CAR@PIT: Crosby buries one-timer off the post in 2nd

McDavid has 13 goals and 29 assists. His pace has slowed since he scored six goals with 13 assists (19 points) in 15 games in November. He has two goals and six assists in his past nine games, part of the reason Crosby was able to catch him.

Crosby has led the NHL in scoring twice (120 points, 2006-07; 104 points, 2013-14). McDavid, in his second NHL season, said he isn't letting the race distract him.

"I try not to (let it)," McDavid said. "You can't really get caught up in it. If you do, you're going to find your game start to slip a little bit. You just try and go out there and do all you can do and whatever happens, happens. There're so many good players in this League that anyone can really do it, so I guess we'll see what happens."

Video: EDM@SJS: McDavid wrister puts Oilers on the board