There have been many comparisons between Connor McDavid and Wayne Gretzky, as well as between McDavid and Sidney Crosby. Ahead of this year’s Stanley Cup Final, another comparison is being made — but Connor McDavid isn’t having it.
Both Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby lost in their first Stanley Cup Final appearances: Gretzky with the Edmonton Oilers against the New York Islanders in 1983, and Crosby with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2008 against the Detroit Red Wings. The following season, however, both faced the same opponent again — and won.
Now, Connor McDavid finds himself in the exact same situation. Last year, the Edmonton Oilers lost to the Florida Panthers in seven games, and now they are once again squaring off in the Stanley Cup Final. If the Oilers win, McDavid would join that exclusive club.
”Different story”
But Connor McDavid doesn’t like the comparison.
“I see, obviously, the parallels that everyone wants to write about,” McDavid said on Tuesday, according to The Score.“At the end of the day, this is a different story. Different teams, different group. Just excited to have another kick at the can here. That’s all.”Regarding facing the Florida Panthers once again, McDavid remains focused and aware of the challenge ahead.“They have our complete focus. All our energy is going into beating the Florida Panthers. There should be nothing else on anyone’s mind,” McDavid said.
The Final begins on Wednesday in Edmonton.
Even Connor McDavid Can’t Explain How He Pulled Off Jaw-Dropping Assist in Game 2
Connor McDavid made some magic during Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final, despite the Edmonton Oilers’ overtime loss against the Florida Panthers.
During a 2–2 game in the first period, McDavid attempted to skate through the middle of the defense but was rebuffed. He circled back out to the top of the zone and received a pass from Leon Draisaitl before pulling off a move that left everyone in the building in awe.
McDavid skated right past Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov and then stunningly dragged the puck in order to get past Aaron Ekblad. He then rifled a pass over to Leon Draisaitl who buried it into the back of the net to give the Oilers a 3–2 lead.
On Sunday, McDavid was asked what he would tell a young fan who wanted to know how he pulled that magical moment off, and he didn’t know how to put words to an answer. Fortunately, Draisaitl was there to offer an explanation.
As McDavid tried to think of how to answer the question, Draisaitl leaned over and chimed in, “You can’t learn that … Let me answer it for you.”
Here’s a look at the breathtaking play from McDavid that led to Draisaitl’s go-ahead goal:
For those looking to learn such incredible maneuvers on the ice, Draisaitl regrets to inform you that it’s not something that can be learned.
McDavid is the most skilled player in recent memory, and some of the things he does on the ice simply cannot be replicated by anyone else. That assist to Draisaitl likely falls under that category.
