Two members of the Edmonton Oilers are getting some major praise from an opposing coach. Oilers' Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are receiving accolades after combining for 8 points in the team's Game 2 victory Friday over the Vancouver Canucks.
“McDavid and Draisaitl were unreal tonight,” Canucks coach Rick Tocchet said, per Daily Faceoff. Edmonton evened the series at 1-1 with a 4-3 overtime victory over the Canucks.
Edmonton's stars
The Oilers got a tremendous amount of offense in Game 2 from their two stars, McDavid and Draisaitl. The pair each recorded three assists in the victory, and both players scored a goal. McDavid also finished the game with five shots on goal, and was a terror on the ice for the club. Draisaitl wasn't far behind, with four shots on goal. Edmonton needed all that offense, as the team was just able to skate by with a one-goal victory over formidable Vancouver.
McDavid has been the heart and soul of the club this season. He has 132 points on the season, and a plus-minus of +35. That was a career-high. In the playoffs, the center is continuing his solid production. He has a plus-minus of +4 in the postseason, with two goals and 15 assists. In game one of the Canucks series, McDavid had one of his worst performances of the season. Oilers fans are surely overjoyed to see their star bounce back with a formidable performance in Game 2. McDavid will have to keep up the production for Edmonton to advance in the Western Conference playoffs.
Draisaitl is providing an additional spark for the team. The center has excellent stats in the postseason, with six goals and 10 assists in the playoffs this year. His plus-minus is +3. On the season, the center has 106 points, and another strong plus-minus. He is at +26 on the year, his best season in that statistical category since the 2020-21 campaign.
“They're hungry. They know what's at stake, and the best players bring out the best of themselves in these kinds of situations,” Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm said, per Sports Net Canada. “They're the top two players in the world, in my mind. When they put on a show like they did tonight, when they bring their ‘A’ game, it's hard to stop.”
Edmonton has had a season to remember, and it would certainly be the icing on the cake to finish with a Stanley Cup championship. The Oilers made a coaching change midseason, and it ignited their offense. The team went through an astonishing 16-game winning streak into the All-Star break this season. Those wins won't amount to much for the team, if they aren't able to get into the Stanley Cup Finals.
Edmonton hopes the team can continue their one-two punch of offense as the Canucks series continues. The Oilers and Canucks take to the ice for Game 3 of their series on Sunday. The puck drops at 9:30 Eastern.
