Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

McDavid's play gives Oilers 'a lot of confidence'

Written by 
Published in Hockey
Thursday, 20 June 2024 14:08

EDMONTON -- Connor McDavid thought the Stanley Cup Final would feel more magical.

"You spend your life working to get into a position like this. You get here and expect there to be this magic feeling, but to be honest, it's all been pretty normal," he said on Thursday ahead of Game 6.

McDavid's performance in the playoffs has been anything but normal, even by the three-time NHL MVP's standards. Through Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final, McDavid has:

Set a record for most assists in a single NHL postseason (34).

Posted the fourth-highest single postseason point total (42) of any player in NHL history, and trail's Wayne Gretzky's all-time record by five points.

Become the first player in NHL history to post back-to-back four-point games in the Stanley Cup Final, in Games 4 and 5.

Scored 11 points in the Final, two back of Gretzky's record of 13 points in 1988.

And that's just a small sampling of his statistical achievements.

McDavid has rallied the Edmonton Oilers back from the brink, as they try to become the second team in NHL history after the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs to win the Stanley Cup after starting a series down 3-0.

Coach Kris Knoblauch said it's McDavid's dominance that's helped give his team the confidence to come back against the Florida Panthers.

"Sometimes you're in the dressing room and you're looking across at your leaders and you're not sure if they're ready to play. They're nervous or struggling, and it puts a lot of doubt in your team," he said. "But when you look at Connor McDavid putting together back-to-back four-point games, that gives your team a lot of confidence. Your best players do that. When they're ready to play, you're like, 'alright, we're going to be OK.' I just gives confidence throughout the dressing room."

Goalie Stuart Skinner said that self-assurance extends off the ice.

"He's got so much confidence in us. For me, personally, he gives me a ton of confidence whether I let in 5 [goals] or I get a shutout, he's always in my corner. He always has my back and telling me that he believes in me," said Skinner, before grinning. "Plus, he always lets me win on the plane when we play games."

McDavid is now the favorite to win the Conn Smythe Trophy for playoff MVP, even though his team is not favored to win the Stanley Cup Final. But for the Oilers captain, the mission isn't about breaking records or making iconic moments.

"I don't think you're thinking about that. Those things just happen. They're a byproduct of being prepared, all the work that we've done throughout the regular season, all the work that we've done through this run," he said. "Those moments are a product of guys who are ready for the big moment. There's no group that is more ready for the moment than this one here."

Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final is Friday night in Edmonton.

Read 69 times

Soccer

Feds charge fan with arson for flares in Orlando

Feds charge fan with arson for flares in Orlando

EmailPrintA man has been charged with "arson of a building that led to personal injuries" after rele...

Barca chief says club rejected $270M Yamal bid

Barca chief says club rejected $270M Yamal bid

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBarcelona president Joan Laporta claims the club turned down an off...

Berhalter accepts USMNT firing, but 'it still hurts'

Berhalter accepts USMNT firing, but 'it still hurts'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsGregg Berhalter acknowledged that his firing in August as U.S. men'...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Source: LeBron to sit out preseason finale

Source: LeBron to sit out preseason finale

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPHOENIX - LeBron James' preseason is finished, giving the 39-year-o...

76ers' McCain diagnosed with pulmonary contusion

76ers' McCain diagnosed with pulmonary contusion

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia 76ers first-round pick Jared McCain wa...

Baseball

Breaking down the wildest moments of Yankees-Guardians Game 3

Breaking down the wildest moments of Yankees-Guardians Game 3

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCLEVELAND -- For nearly an hour Thursday night, the New York Yankee...

'All the emotions': Guardians top Yanks in wild G3

'All the emotions': Guardians top Yanks in wild G3

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCLEVELAND -- An hour after the Cleveland Guardians saved a season t...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated