Seize the day. Put up or shut up. Actions speak louder than words. All of these apply to the way Connor McDavid took control and never let go in Game 2 of the Edmonton Oilers/Vancouver Canucks second-round Stanley Cup playoff series. It feels like a familiar story every playoff year in Edmonton – they defeat the Los Angeles Kings in the first round, then falter in the subsequent rounds (with the exception of their second-round victory over the Calgary Flames in the 2022 Playoffs). After blowing a 4-1 lead in Game 1 against the Canucks and McDavid appearing ineffective, questions arose about the team’s mentality. But then McDavid stepped up in Game 2.
He’s likely tired of hearing the same criticisms from the media and fans about the team’s playoff performances. Both he and Leon Draisaitl aspire to more than just competing for the Stanley Cup; they want to be mentioned alongside legends like Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Mario Lemieux, Sidney Crosby, and Bobby Orr. Now is the time for McDavid (and Draisaitl) to either rise to the occasion or face another offseason of what-ifs. I give this Oilers roster this year (and perhaps next) to win it all, as their window with the current squad is closing due to future salary cap challenges.
Great players make great plays in crucial moments. We’ve seen iconic moments from legends like Orr, Lemieux, and Messier. Was McDavid’s tying goal against Canucks goalie Arturs Silovs in Game 2 his defining moment, or does he have more in store? The Oilers’ win in Game 2, their first against the Canucks all season, could have a significant psychological impact on the series, but it’s still uncertain how the Canucks will respond.
The question now is which Oilers team will show up in Games 3 and 4 in Edmonton. Will it be the confident team that beat the Kings in five games or the inconsistent team that struggled at the start of the season? The performance of goaltender Stuart Skinner could be key, as he has been hot and cold in the playoffs. Unlike last year, where Skinner was pulled multiple times against the Vegas Golden Knights, the Oilers need to be prepared to make a change if necessary. If Skinner falters, Calvin Pickard should be ready to step in. With McDavid leading the charge, the Oilers are on a mission to cement their legacy, and winning the Stanley Cup is the only way to do it. We’re about to see how far McDavid can lift the Oilers and how far they can go.
