The thing that separates superstars and regular players is the fact that they thrive in big moments. For that reason, this is why the Oilers need both Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid to come out and bring their A games tonight. If the Oilers have any chance of winning tonight then those two will need to move the needle towards the Oilers.
Tonight could possibly be the most important game in McDavid and Draisaitl’s NHL careers, with the fact that this team is built the best of any team that has been on a playoff run. This is their best chance to hoist the cup so far in their career.
McDrai Will Show Up Tonight
Obviously, McDavid and Draisaitl are the best Oilers and the success and the Oilers live and die with them. For this reason, this is why I think the Oilers are going to still end up defeating the Vancouver Canucks, albeit in 7 games now, the Oilers have 2 of the best hockey players in the world. Tonight the Oilers will not go quietly and the noise is going to be led by McDavid and Draisaitl.
The last time McDavid was in a game 7 was against the Los Angeles Kings in 2022. In that game, he had a goal and an assist. In that game he played 27:23. I would expect him to play those types of minutes again tonight. McDavid has always shown up in big games and tonight will be no different.
In that same game 7 against the Kings, Leon Draisaitl had one point and was a +2. Draisaitl in tonight's game 7 I expect to have more than 1 point like he did back in 2022. I don’t think no matter how hard the Canucks try they will be able to contain Draisaitl tonight. If I was a betting man I would bet that Draisaitl gets more than 1 point tonight.
While I do not know if Knoblauch is going to put them on the same line or on two different lines tonight for sure yet. I don’t think it is going to matter if they are together or not, I think we are going to see the best games from these two tonight as big players like Draisaitl and McDavid love to play in big games.