Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid enters Wednesday's matchup with the Winnipeg Jets on the precipice of a significant career milestone that would only strengthen the link between him and his childhood hero if it's accomplished.

McDavid currently sits at 499 career points in 368 games, and he'll reach the 500-mark in the same number of contests as Sidney Crosby if he finds the scoresheet against the Jets.

The incredible coincidence has caught McDavid's attention.

"That's pretty cool. A guy I grew up watching," McDavid said, according to Sportsnet's Mark Spector. "He's done a couple of other things I'm trying to do, with all of his Cups and stuff. That stuff is more important, but if (500) happens, great.

"He's done everything I want to do - he's a great guy to follow. He's done everything he has set his mind to."

If McDavid matches Crosby, they'll tie as the eighth-fastest players in NHL history to notch 500 points. Here's how No. 87 and 97 stack up all-time:

McDavid, who leads the NHL in scoring this season with 30 points in 17 games, has 26 points in 17 career games against Winnipeg. While matching Crosby in this specific stat seems likely, McDavid has a long way to go to match Sid The Kid's overall resume.

Crosby had earned two Art Ross trophies, an MVP, a Rocket Richard, and two Stanley Cup Finals appearances that yielded one championship through the first five seasons of his career - McDavid is currently in the early stages of his sixth NHL campaign.

In the years since, Crosby has added one more Art Ross, an MVP, and a Rocket Richard, along with two more Cups and two Conn Smythe's to his trophy case.

McDavid has claimed an MVP and two scoring titles to date.

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The Arizona Coyotes denounced an article from The Athletic's Katie Strang published Tuesday reporting a great deal of financial and interpersonal turmoil within the organization under owner Alex Meruelo, who took over in July 2019.

"We are very disappointed that The Athletic, for several months, has condoned a harassment campaign against Mr. Alex Meruelo, the Arizona Coyotes, the Meruelo Group, and dozens of current employees and former employees," part of a statement from the Coyotes read.

"We question the potential reliance by The Athletic on disgruntled ex-employees who have proven to be untrustworthy and lacking in candor on confidential non-public information, and on vendors with whom the club secured negotiated settlements to undo years of financial mismanagement under prior ownership and club leadership."

Seyfarth Shaw law firm met with Coyotes employees this year to investigate potential financial irregularities, workplace culture, and at least one case of alleged sexual harassment, Strang reports.

Law firm representatives reportedly inquired about the accuracy of the financial documents the Coyotes provided to third parties and the NHL, allegations of intimidation and threats against employees, and COVID-19 protocols and compliance.

The team was also reportedly late in paying several players' signing bonuses in 2020 and didn't issue per diem payments in the playoff bubble as mandated by the CBA, leading the NHLPA to become involved.

According to Strang, Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong, who was hired in September, emailed hockey operations staff warning that any "unauthorized distribution of any club information will not be permitted and is grounds for disciplinary action, up to immediate termination."

The email was obtained by The Athletic, and Armstrong later told Strang he believed that files had been stolen from his computer and the person responsible would be going to jail.

Eight vendors also told Strang that the Coyotes had outstanding or overdue balances or had negotiated a reduction in their debt.

The Coyotes declined interview requests for Strang's story.

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The Arizona Coyotes denounced an article from The Athletic's Katie Strang published Tuesday reporting a great deal of financial and interpersonal turmoil within the organization under owner Alex Meruelo, who took over in July 2019.

"We are very disappointed that The Athletic, for several months, has condoned a harassment campaign against Mr. Alex Meruelo, the Arizona Coyotes, the Meruelo Group, and dozens of current employees and former employees," part of a statement from the Coyotes read.

"We question the potential reliance by The Athletic on disgruntled ex-employees who have proven to be untrustworthy and lacking in candor on confidential non-public information, and on vendors with whom the club secured negotiated settlements to undo years of financial mismanagement under prior ownership and club leadership."

Seyfarth Shaw law firm met with Coyotes employees this year to investigate potential financial irregularities, workplace culture, and at least one case of alleged sexual harassment, Strang reports.

Law firm representatives reportedly inquired about the accuracy of the financial documents the Coyotes provided to third parties and the NHL, allegations of intimidation and threats against employees, and COVID-19 protocols and compliance.

The team was also reportedly late in paying several players' signing bonuses in 2020 and didn't issue per diem payments in the playoff bubble as mandated by the CBA, leading the NHLPA to become involved.

According to Strang, Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong, who was hired in September, emailed hockey operations staff warning that any "unauthorized distribution of any club information will not be permitted and is grounds for disciplinary action, up to immediate termination."

The email was obtained by The Athletic, and Armstrong later told Strang he believed that files had been stolen from his computer and the person responsible would be going to jail.

Eight vendors also told Strang that the Coyotes had outstanding or overdue balances or had negotiated a reduction in their debt.

The Coyotes declined interview requests for Strang's story.

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The NHL announced the rescheduling of 29 games featuring 15 different teams on Tuesday.

The makeup dates primarily affect teams within the East and West Divisions.

All times ET.

Six additional games will be rescheduled at a later date.

COVID-19 postponements have hit the league hard in the early goings of the season, but deputy commissioner Bill Daly recently said the NHL is confident it can complete the entire 2021 schedule.

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The Chicago Blackhawks have partnered with the Professional Women's Hockey Player's Association (PWHPA) and will host two Dream Gap Tour events in March, the team announced Tuesday.

The games will occur on March 6 at the United Center and March 7 at the Fifth Third Arena. The first contest will be aired on NBCSN.

"Our athletes are excited to play at the United Center. More than the game, this partnership helps advance our mission of creating a sustainable pro women's hockey league that showcases the outstanding skills of our athletes and allows young girls to dream just as the boys do today," PWHPA operations consultant Jayna Hefford said.

The Blackhawks are the third NHL franchise to team up with the PWHPA this season, joining the New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs. Chicago also hosted women's hockey events in 2020.

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Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar is unavailable for Sunday's clash against the Vegas Golden Knights and is day-to-day with an upper-body injury, Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar confirmed to The Athletic's Peter Baugh.

Sunday's game is Colorado's first since Feb. 2, as the club has dealt with a series of postponements due to COVID-19 protocols.

While Makar's absence is significant, the Avalanche will have No. 1 center Nathan MacKinnon back in the lineup. The 25-year-old was originally considered week-to-week with a lower-body injury but only missed one game before Colorado's schedule came to a halt.

Makar, 22, has been sensational in his sophomore season, racking up 12 points in 11 games while logging over 24 minutes of ice time per contest. The reigning Calder Trophy winner has firmly established himself as a Norris candidate early in the 2020-21 season.

Here is Colorado's projected lineup for Sunday:

The Avalanche are 7-3-1 on the season and sit third in the West Division. They have one game in hand on second-place Vegas and four games in hand on the division-leading St. Louis Blues.

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Toronto Maple Leafs forward Joe Thornton is ready to return to the lineup for Monday's game against the Ottawa Senators, he confirmed after Sunday's practice, according to TSN's Kristen Shilton.

"I feel really good. I can't wait to play tomorrow," Thornton said.

Thornton has missed Toronto's last 10 games after suffering a rib injury on Jan. 20 in a contest versus the Edmonton Oilers.

The 41-year-old was back in his spot on the Maple Leafs' top line alongside Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner at practice. Here's how Toronto's forward group lined up:

The Maple Leafs went 8-1-1 with Thornton sidelined and sit atop the North Division with 23 points.

Thornton has notched one goal and one assist through five games this season.

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Buffalo Sabres head coach Ralph Krueger returned to practice with his club Sunday after testing positive for COVID-19, the team announced.

Krueger tested positive on Feb. 4 as several Sabres players landed on the NHL's COVID protocol list following a weekend series with the New Jersey Devils that reportedly left Buffalo furious.

The Sabres haven't played since Jan. 31 but could return to the ice Monday versus the Devils.

Along with Krueger, star players Taylor Hall and Rasmus Dahlin returned to practice over the weekend. However, several Buffalo skaters - including Dylan Cozens and Rasmus Ristolainen - remain on the COVID list and are unable to participate in team activities.

Here's a look at the Sabres' lineup at practice Sunday:

Buffalo sits last in the East Division with a 4-4-2 record but is only five points outside a playoff position with several postponed games to play.

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Arizona Coyotes forward Johan Larsson has been suspended two games for a hit to the head of St. Louis Blues forward Zach Sanford, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced Saturday.

The play occurred during the third period of Friday's contest. Larsson was assessed a two-minute penalty for the hit.

Larsson is in his first season with the Coyotes. He's notched one goal in 13 games this season.

The 28-year-old was suspended two games in 2018 for cross-checking.

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Winnipeg Jets forward Pierre-Luc Dubois is day-to-day with a lower-body injury and is unavailable for Saturday's game against the Ottawa Senators, head coach Paul Maurice announced, according to Sportsnet's Ken Wiebe.

Dubois left Friday's practice early, but Maurice labeled him as probable for Saturday's contest at the time.

Jets forward Kristian Vesalainen will draw into the lineup with Dubois out. Winnipeg will continue to ice 11 forwards and seven defensemen.

Dubois, 22, has played two games for the Jets since they acquired him for Patrik Laine. He's gone pointless with Winnipeg thus far while averaging over 15 minutes of ice time per contest.

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