Where are McDavid and Draisaitl when it matters?

[authentic]

McDavid's performance is exactly why I was on the pro-Crosby side in the recent thread about who was better at the same age.

Crosby was turning his game up several notches come playoff time, at an even younger age than McDavid is now. And this was quite impressive when you consider Crosby was also a beast in the regular season.

McDavid can score a million points against a weak North Division, with a half-million points on the PP.

But Crosby at the same age was a better overall player. At 5-on-5, and all the little things that help you win a hockey game.

McDavid has led the NHL in even strength points as many times as Crosby, Ovechkin and Lemieux combined.

 

[koyvoo]

McDavid so far in this series:

CF: 63%
SF%: 60%
SCF%: 64%
HDCF%: 64%
Actual goals: 1-1

Expected goals with McD on the ice is 2.35 to 1.67. Don't try to give me the "advanced stats not actual results" argument, I get that. But the ice has been tilted in the Oilers favour with McDavid on the ice, and a lack of puck luck so far has prevented actual results. That doesn't generally stay for long, so don't be surprised if he goes supernova for the next game.

So basically the team around them is nowhere near good enough for playoff hockey as most people suspected.
How many years of the spring time heartbreak before they want to bolt. I’ve taken my potshots here, but I’m being serious with this one. Something’s got to give with the team getting better, or these guys won’t let their entire careers go down with the ship.

 

[Finnflash]

Can't wait for that ratings blockbuster in June!

You have shares in tv ratings

 

[Bounces R Way]

One or both will get a 3 point night in game 3, and there'll be a bunch of I told you so's but McDavid and Draisaitl are a victim of the Edmonton media worship where they can't do any wrong because they rack up the points.

The truth is that they're pretty flawed players when it comes to tight-checking games and the fatigue from playing 25+ min games will set in when there's less space out there during the playoffs.

Exactly this

 

[The Grim Reaper]

I'm not the biggest McDrie fan in the world, but I will save my verdict untill the Oilers lose 4 games...

#Remindmeinthreedays

 

[jcs0218]

In all fairness mcdavid was great last year in the play- ins. Let’s give him a little more time before we judge.

That was against a 12th-seeded team.

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

Wasn't that because of their center depth?

Imo the Oilers are similarly set up as the Pens in 08, with worst goaltending:

Crosby -> McD
Malkin -> Drai
J. Staal -> RNH
Gonchar -> Barrie
Letang -> Nurse
Hossa -> difference?

Even J.Staal had 28 pts, and he was the 7th scorer on the team. On the Oilers this year, the 7th scorer has 21 points.

You can't just look at points. Cooke-Staal-Kennedy was the best 3rd line in the league at that point. Was good defensively and could keep possession. Guys like Talbot, Fedotenko, Guerin, Kunitz, etc while not offensively gifted were made for playoff hockey.

Pens defense was also much better with Gonchar-Orpik, Letang-Eaton, and shutdown pair Scuderi-Gill.

That said Crosby/Malkin were spectacular and carried them to the cup, but the rest of the team was able to hold par if they weren't on the ice. Edmonton gets caved in if McDavid/Draisaitl isn't on the ice.

 

[Flying Dego]

It's painfully obvious that McD is built to dominate regular season hockey. He needs to figure out how to alter his game to succeed when his speed is neutralized.

He's insanely talented but should ask Crosby if he can show him how to play playoff hockey. Seems to be working swell for MacK

 

[Bourdon]

What's the point of having a generational talent when basically any team of big teams can just play heavy checking trap trap hockey?

Maybe EDM oughta trade McDavid for 2 lines of grinders

What's the point of putting up 22pts in 9 games against a team when you put up 0 in the playoffs against that same team?

Tight checking defensive hockey isn't a new thing invented 3 days ago.

 

[The Grim Reaper]

That was against a 12th-seeded team.

Shhhh… don’t tell them.

 

[Joe Hallenback]

Why do people make posts like this.

Now I feel the Jinx is on and he is going to have a 6 pointer on Sunday

 

[edog37]

McDavid has led the NHL in even strength points as many times as Crosby, Ovechkin and Lemieux combined.

By 24 years old, Crosby already led his team to two Stanley Cup Final appearances & one Cup win. He also won an Olympic Gold Medal scoring the OT winner. Regular season stats don’t matter.

 

[The Grim Reaper]

Why do people make posts like this.

Now I feel the Jinx is on and he is going to have a 6 pointer on Sunday

Jinx aren’t real.

 

[Finnflash]

Why do people make posts like this.

Now I feel the Jinx is on and he is going to have a 6 pointer on Sunday

I already reverse jinxed it

 

[AussieBomberJet]

Shhhh… don’t tell them.

What do we have here? And Oiler fan downunder, in Tassie!

 

[Llamamoto]

So basically the team around them is nowhere near good enough for playoff hockey as most people suspected.
How many years of the spring time heartbreak before they want to bolt. I’ve taken my potshots here, but I’m being serious with this one. Something’s got to give with the team getting better, or these guys won’t let their entire careers go down with the ship.

Puljujarvi's emergence has been pretty huge for this team. Yamamoto (despite his point totals, his play had been a lot better than what his totals suggest) is also promising.

Nurse has become a 1D and Larsson having his best season since 2016-17 is also huge. With all the cap space that's coming off the books next year, the Oilers could actually emerge a contender. That obviously depends on whether Holland's willing to make some serious moves, but we have the pieces to do so.

And this series isn't over yet.

 

[The Grim Reaper]

What do we have here? And Oiler fan downunder, in Tassie!

Pens fan ;-)

 

[Dread Clawz]

What's the point of having a generational talent when basically any team of big teams can just play heavy checking trap trap hockey?

Maybe EDM oughta trade McDavid for 2 lines of grinders

Gretzky and Lemieux did ok in their era. McDavid has to want it more. Otherwise he'll always be just a regular season wiz.

 

[Albatros]

In all fairness mcdavid was great last year in the play- ins. Let’s give him a little more time before we judge.

Indeed. Against the worst team in Central, and they lost. It would be about time to show up for actual playoff games if he's to be regarded as one of the very best in league history.

 

[authentic]

He is still the most dynamic player in the NHL.

But if I had a choice right now one player I would like to add to the Jets is that Anderson fella on Montreal

Lol you would add Anderson over McDavid?

 

[c9777666]

The NHL does a terrible job of protecting their stars

In hockey, basically it lets less skilled players/teams get away with anything and everything

 

[razorsedge]

Jets are playing solid defense, and hanging back when McD and Drais are constantly cherry picking. I think more props has to be given to the Jets these last two games. They aren't giving any space for him to use his speed.

 

[Pia8988]

The NHL does a terrible job of protecting their stars

In hockey, basically it lets less skilled players/teams get away with anything and everything

MacKinnon seems fine.

 

[YEGJuniorFan]

Oiler's fan here, not bothering reading 7 pages of posts, not here to really add anything of value. Just disappointed in our big guns so far. They need to be better. No doubt.

 

[c9777666]

MacKinnon seems fine.

Dallas did a good job on him when it mattered most in game 7

 

[Grandma Bingo]

By 24 years old, Crosby already led his team to two Stanley Cup Final appearances & one Cup win. He also won an Olympic Gold Medal scoring the OT winner. Regular season stats don’t matter.

At age 24:

McDavid... 18 points in 19 playoff games. +2

Crosby.... 82 points in 62 playoff games. +22. 2 cup finals, 1 cup.