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Greg Wyshynski, ESPNJun 20, 2024, 04:07 PM ET
CloseGreg Wyshynski is ESPN’s senior NHL writer.
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.
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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….
Source link : https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/40395682/connor-mcdavid-play-gives-oilers-lot-confidence
Author : Greg Wyshynski
Publish date : 2024-06-20 21:24:34
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