Connor McDavid is the face of the Edmonton Oilers franchise and that’s not changing for at least another decade, because that’s how long he’ll keep playing. He’s a star player and one of the faces of the NHL, one who’s won just about every award he’s eligible for, including a Conn Smythe Trophy.
Yeah, he’s so good that he won the Smythe Trophy despite losing in the Stanley Cup Final last season. I don’t know what you think, but that’s beyond impressive. But until he hoists the Stanley Cup, McDavid will always have an asterisk next to his name, even when he earns a spot in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Now, in his defense, it took Alex Ovechkin, now the NHL’s all-time leading goal-scorer, nearly a decade and a half to win what’s been his only Stanley Cup. So McDavid’s got time, even if he doesn’t win it this season. Still, it would be great to see him lead the charge and help the Oilers win these last two games.
Connor McDavid’s got to go into game-breaker mode to help the Oilers win
This isn’t to say McDavid’s not close to game-breaker mode. Yeah, it’s sad that it took him five games to score a single goal, but we’re forgetting that McDavid’s been a playmaker for the entire series, logging six assists and seven points, which is second only to Leon Draisaitl.
He’s got a 5.3 shooting percentage, but you can overlook that, since he’s been the same exact playmaker we’ve gotten used to watching. Plus, he’s averaged 28:32 of total ice time so far, which is equally impressive. All of that said, if McDavid wants to help the Oilers claw back into this series and take it, he’s got to go into Superman mode.
That means maintaining the playmaker he’s been while finding the net more often. It also means picking the team up and carrying it on his back if they come out flat again like they did in Game 5. No, it’s not fair, but hey, this is what’s expected out of superstar players like McDavid.
McDavid’s got a massive opportunity in the making
Connor McDavid may be facing more pressure than the entire Edmonton Oilers team combined. An elite player like McDavid shouldn’t be looking at this as pressure, but an opportunity. And, chances are, that’s what’s going through his mind.
Players like McDavid are made for opportunities like these, being down 3-2 against a team that got the best of you last season. And one that’s about to get the best of you again. They’re coming off an abysmal Game 5 in which you knew it was over before the first horn even sounded.
So, this is the situation the Oilers find themselves in, but one that turns legendary players into timeless, immortal beings. And that’s the status that awaits McDavid if he leads the Oilers to a massive comeback to take Games 6 and 7.
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