The Edmonton Oilers have one last chance on Tuesday, April 28, to avoid early playoff elimination. Trailing 3-1, the Oilers could never have anticipated the formidable challenge the Anaheim Ducks would pose for them. The Ducks, who are back on the postseason stage after seven seasons, have been notoriously difficult to keep up with.
Moreover, Edmonton’s worries have compounded because captain Connor McDavid has not had nearly as much impact against Anaheim as he usually does, prompting an Oilers legend to weigh in.
Craig MacTavish Addresses Connor McDavid’s Playoff Performance
Edmonton’s vast playoff experience is being tested in Round 1 against the Ducks. The Oilers have one remaining opportunity to turn things around, and the challenge will have just begun even if they get a win in Game 5 on Tuesday night. Two more wins on the trot will be required to make it through to the Conference Semifinal, and EDM has notoriously had a difficult time this season stitching together 3-win runs.
However, McDavid, who unquestionably remains Kris Knoblauch’s most trusted asset, has not nearly had enough influence against the Ducks. The 29-year-old has accumulated four points over four playoff games, but has yet to play the role of the certified game-changer he usually is.
Appearing on the ‘Oilers Now’ podcast, Craig MacTavish pointed out that McDavid has not been as impactful as expected. “The overall high-arching picture is that Connor hasn’t been the level of game-changer and series-maker he normally is. As well as Zach [Hyman], they are both banged up.”
It has become increasingly clear that the Oilers captain is playing through a minor ankle injury he sustained in Game 2, which appears to have taken a toll on the standout center’s performance in these critical postseason games.
“It [the injury] has, with increasing clarity, left him often wincing on the Oilers’ bench, less capable of hitting his all-world fifth gear, struggling with his lateral movement, and generally moving through the series as a diminished version of himself,” Sean Gentille pointed out in his recent contribution to The Athletic.
McDavid braved his injury to nearly win the last game against the Ducks. However, Lukas Dostal foiled his attempts during a late breakaway, forcing the game into overtime, which the Ducks would go on to win 4-3. Despite his struggles, McDavis had two assists against Anaheim in Game 4.
To power past this lull, MacTavish advised Knoblauch to stick to keeping Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Hyman, and McDavid together: a pairing that has worked out phenomenally for the Oilers before. While that line was brought back for Game 4, Knoblauch also experimented by bringing Matthew Savoie to the first line with Hyman and McDavid.
MacTavish also praised the Oilers’ second line, stating that players like Leon Draisaitl, Vasily Podkolzin, and Kasperi Kapanen could certainly contribute to an Oilers win in the next game. “We are getting really good results from Podkolzin, Leon, and Kapanen, who have played fantastically. So if we can, that would be super doable that those guys can win tomorrow night.”
While McDavid’s injury woes are certainly cause for concern, this is the ideal opportunity for the rest of the team to step up with just about everything on the line.
READ MORE: ‘It Was Odd’: Rumored Oilers Target Bruce Cassidy Makes Feelings Clear on Controversial Game 4 Call
