During the first intermission of Game 3 between the Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights, NHL on TNT analyst Rick Tocchet peeled back the curtain on how he approached defending two of the league’s most dangerous players — Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
NHL Analyst Issues Warning to Golden Knights: ‘Not Against 97 and 29’
Tocchet, who previously coached the Vancouver Canucks and Arizona Coyotes, didn’t sugarcoat the challenge. He explained how his teams had to play with patience and structure or risk being exposed by Edmonton’s top line.
“You have to do it layers the D,” Tocchet said. “If you’re going to go, you have to get that puck. If you’re going to pinch, it can’t be a 50-50, and the other thing’s, any kind of there’s a pile up. You’ve got to stay out. They’ve got to stay back live for another shift.”
He stressed the importance of staying disciplined, especially in the neutral zone. McDavid, known for using bump-back passes to build speed, can slice through space in a heartbeat. Give him or Draisaitl an inch, and they’ll take a goal.
Toc shares what his rule of thumb was this season whenever playing Edmonton 👀 pic.twitter.com/527oq1S6GD
— NHLonTNT (@NHL_On_TNT)
“I love the aggressiveness, but not against 97 and 29,” Tocchet added. “We’ve learned our lesson that you got to stay back on that and live for another shift.”
The message from Tocchet was clear: Don’t get cute against elite skill. Stick to layered coverage, avoid odd-man rushes, and live to fight the next shift. Trying to force a play can backfire quickly when dealing with two of the game’s best.
Even though the Oilers dropped Game 3 in a close 4-3 contest, McDavid and Draisaitl still found ways to impact the outcome. McDavid scored, and Draisaitl, intentionally or not, deflected a puck that led to Reilly Smith’s game-winning goal.
Edmonton Oilers Still Finding Ways to Win Amid Shifts in Momentum
The Oilers, however, aren’t just leaning on their stars. Their depth has been a difference-maker. In Game 2, McDavid and Draisaitl were mostly quiet until crunch time, then connected for the overtime winner in a 5-4 victory.
“We get paid to score big goals in big moments, and we found a way tonight,” McDavid said after the game.
“Our depth has for the most part been carrying us through these playoffs, and they’re the reason we’re in this spot right now,” Draisaitl added.
Players like Corey Perry, Evander Kane and Jake Walman have chipped in, easing the offensive burden on Edmonton’s top duo. Calvin Pickard, stepping up in net, made 28 saves in Game 2 and helped steady the team.
Still, McDavid and Draisaitl remain near the top of the playoff scoring charts, with 14 and 13 points, respectively. And as Tocchet knows well, they don’t need much time or space to flip a game.
Heading into Game 4 at Rogers Place with a 2-1 series lead, the Oilers look poised and dangerous.