The 5 best performances at the NHL Skills Competition in NY Islanders history

Mathew Barzal

Fastest Skater, 2020

The 2020 Fastest Skater competition was one of the more dramatic in history because entering the skills event, Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers appeared unbeatable as the three-time defending champion. In 2017, McDavid won the event by 0.300 of a second over Vincent Trocheck and followed that up by topping Brayden Point by 0.125 of a second. In 2019, McDavid won by 0.204 of a second over Buffalo's Jack Eichel.

But in 2020, his reign would come to an end. After being .0402 behind McDavid the previous year, Mathew Barzal posted a blazing 13.175 lap, hitting 24.86 mph to hold the top position, but the Oilers star would go last and knew what was needed to win. McDavid ended up being edged out by Barzal's time by just 0.040.

“That’s a good time by Barzy,” McDavid said, according to NHL.com. “Tip your hat. That’s it.