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Dans les coulisses

Connor McDavid: eight points in two games (as the Oilers teeter on the brink)

SUNRISE, FLORIDA - JUNE 18: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers skates off the ice after warm-up before Game Five of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena on June 18, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)

Things change fast in the hockey world.

After Game #3 of the Stanley Cup Final, when the Oilers were losing 3-0 in the series, we wondered how Connor McDavid would be affected by all this in the long term.

After all, not scoring in three finals games and letting the Panthers take a 3-0 lead in the series wasn’t good for his resume if he wants to apply for the goat job someday.

But McDavid has since taken the club on his shoulders.

He’s obviously found the secret to Sergei Bobrovsky’s Caramilk wall, because since his club’s elimination, he’s been on a different planet from the rest of us.

One goal and three assists on Saturday… two goals and two assists yesterday…

If my count is right, McJesus has eight points in two games, and his two consecutive four-point performances in the final are unheard of. He has twice as many points as the Panthers have goals (one on Saturday, three in yesterday’s 5-3 loss ) in the last two games. No worse, you say?

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Could McDavid have stood up sooner? Maybe. But right now, his 11 points in five games in the finals have the Oilers believing more than ever as the momentum has shifted.

It’s the Oilers who are in the driver’s seat, with a home game scheduled for Friday night. What’s at stake? Forcing the Panthers’ hand to create what was impossible to believe two games ago – the possibility of a #7 game.

In 2023-2024, playoffs included, McDavid has 174 points in 99 games, including 42 in 23 playoff games. And the way he’s playing right now, I don’t feel like betting against him.

In fact, his 42 points (so far) in the 2024 playoffs put him among the history books, as only Wayne Gretzky (three times) and Mario Lemieux have had at least 40 points in a single playoff run. Does McJesus deserve the Conn Smythe regardless of the series’ outcome?

But if I don’t feel like betting against McDavid, I do feel like betting against Leon Draisaitl.

Is he distracted by contract issues, being sent all over the NHL? Is he injured? Because his two assists (in game #4) in five games in the finals is not worthy.

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At this point, you really have to wonder whether Corey Perry will finally win his second Stanley Cup and whether Canada will bring the Cup back where it belongs.

The answer in 282618 days one week.

For the Oilers to win, Stuart Skinner will have to continue being the goalie he’s been for the past two games. The problem is, you never know which version of Skinner will be in front of the net… and the Oilers are running out of room.

The Oilers will also have to hope that the Bob on the other side will continue to elude them. His .769 save rate over the last two games is… ordinary.

Finally, even if Paul Maurice says his team isn’t down, the fact remains that morale is low among the Panthers at the moment.

The images of his boss are the talk of the town and speak volumes on the subject. #Anger.

Will Matthew Tkachuk, who promised his team a win yesterday, succeed in winning the Cup? He didn’t do badly yesterday, on the contrary, but let’s just say that his comments are not going down well.

Mark Messier isn’t just anyone, as Georges Laraque said on X… despite some incredible play on his part last night.

Overtime

– Speak of the devil.

– Evan Bouchard likes to pass the ball.

– One to watch.

– Did Pascal Vincent deserve another chance? [98.5 FM]

– Big news.