The Edmonton Oilers are heading to the Western Conference Final for the first time since 2006 after defeating the Calgary Flames by a final score of 5-4 in overtime in Game 5 to win the series 4-1. Edmonton continues its dominance over Calgary in the playoffs, now having won five of the last six series. A big reason for the Oilers victory in 2022 is because the Oilers have the best duo in the league right in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Dare we say best ever?
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl Propel Oilers To Victory
Entering the series, most pundits predicted Calgary to win the series in six or seven games. The Flames had a deeper team and the better goalie in Jacob Markstrom. So we thought. But the caveat entering the series was McDavid and Draisaitl. Those two players could be the x-factors in this series and a reason why the Oilers could defeat the Flames. And these two players did not disappoint.
McDavid and Draisaitl are shattering the record books when it came to Stanley Cup Playoffs statistics. The Oilers dynamic duo have combined for 52 points in 12 playoff games. Both players lead the Stanley Cup Playoffs in points with 26 with the same exact stat line of seven goals and 19 assists. Draisaitl had another four-assist game against the Flames in Game 5, giving him 17 points passing Wayne Gretzky (14) for the most in a Battle of Alberta playoff series. In addition, Draisaitl has five consecutive games of three or more points one shy of the record of six.
Then there is Connor McDavid who is on another level right now. He has the Michael Jordan mindset and he is not going to be stopped. McDavid has recorded at least two or more points in 10 of 12 playoff games including at one point having seven straight multi-point games. Prior to Game 5 against the Flames, he was 2.5 goals per game. The addition of Evander Kane has given so much and has allowed the duo of McDavid and Draisaitl to shine even brighter.
Around Full Press Hockey
NHL: 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs Notebook: Connor McDavid and Nazem Kadri Take Center Stage
NHL Rumors: NHL Rumors: Florida Panthers, Vancouver Canucks, Dallas Stars
NHL: Oilers Match Up Well Against the Kings, Depth Will Be Key to Success
NFL: Los Angeles Chargers Defense Starting to Look Formidable
-
Ep 38: Tyreek Hill Traded To The Dolphins
by Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2022 at 12:10 am
MLB: Feast or Famine: Tigers Seek Offensive Consistency
PODCAST: Full Press Hockey Weekly: Ep 28: NHL Draft Lottery; Stanley Cup; Islanders Coaching Situation
The Best Player Won The Series
McDavid and Draisaitl were driving the offence. Especially, Draisaitl in Game 5. Prior to that, it was McDavid, who propelled his team to victory against the Los Angeles Kings in the first round and now against the Flames in the second round he scored the game-winner in the overtime to win the series.
As Flames coach head Darryl Sutter said after the game when asked if the better team won, “the best player won them the series.”
And Sutter is not wrong.
Earlier in the year, Sutter had this to say about McDavid:
“Bottom line, he’s head and shoulders the best player in the League,” Sutter said. “I don’t think there’s one player who stops Connor McDavid. He’s a tough guy to stop. You just try to slow him down within the rules, limit his chances.”
Though as McDavid said post-game he was not at his best, Leon Draisaitl picked up the slack. Even with an injury, Draisaitl was the second-best player in the series.
Can McDavid and Draisaitl Propel Oilers To Stanley Cup Championship?
Normally in the NHL, we don’t see two individuals win hockey games for their respective teams. Especially in the playoffs. In the regular season that can happen and it has over time. But in the playoffs, it is so hard for two guys to propel their team to the Stanley Cup because it is such a team game. This year, we are seeing McDavid and Draisaitl do just that.
Now the Oilers are still only halfway to victory, but the fact of the matter, these guys account for 50 percent of the Oilers offence is insane. This is similar to what we see in the NBA with the likes of the Golden State Warriors, where Steph Curry and Clay Thompson just take over games. With both players having the same stat line, they have accounted for 27 percent of Edmonton’s scoring production in the first two rounds of the playoffs. Thanks to my colleague Daniel Friedman for these stats.
The fact of the matter is with Jay Woodcroft putting these guys out every other shift, he is going to ride his horses until somebody stops them. Whether on the road or at home, if Woodcroft gets these guys out on the ice, the Oilers always have a chance to score.
Now the Oilers are getting production from other players like Kane, Zach Hyman, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, but the majority of the offence is coming from Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Both of those players were able to get passed two very good defensive teams. They will have to do it again if the Oilers want to win the Stanley Cup.
Lasting Legacy
The duo of McDavid and Draisaitl will go down as one of the best. They are doing things similar to what Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr were doing. Look how these guys are rewriting the Oilers history books in the playoffs. They are putting up numbers that are similar and even better than what Gretzky and Jari Kurri did.
If these two players will their team to a Stanley Cup Championship, which they absolutely can, they will go down as the best duo ever in the history of the game.
-
Ep 116: Former Buccaneers Head Coach Bruce Arians Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 3:03 am
Former Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians joins Clark and Ira to discuss […]
-
Ep 115: Gil Brandt Joins The Show To Remember Cowboys RB Don Perkinsby Full Press Coverage on June 22, 2022 at 3:46 pm
Pro Football Hall of Famer Gil Brandt joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 114: Former Bengals QB Ken Anderson Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 15, 2022 at 5:12 pm
Former Bengals quarterback and NFL MVP, Ken Anderson, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 113: HOF Voter Barry Wilner Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 6:04 pm
For AP chief correspondent and current Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, […]
-
Ep 112: Colts Owner Jim Irsay Joins To Talk "The Jim Irsay Collection"by Full Press Coverage on May 31, 2022 at 3:05 pm
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay returns to the show to talk with Calrk […]
-
Ep 111: Joe Horrigan Returns To Remember Vietnam Veteran And Former Bills OT Bob Kalsuby Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2022 at 9:25 pm
As we approach Memorial Day, Joe Horrigan returns to the show to talk to […]
-
Ep 110: New Playoff Teams In 2022; Best Matchups On NFL Scehduleby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 3:42 am
Clark, Ira, and Ian give their four teams that didn't make the NFL […]
-
Ep 109: Hall of Fame Voter Ed Bouchette Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 12, 2022 at 6:28 pm
Long time Steelers writer and current Hall of Fame voter, Ed Bouchette […]
-
Ep 116: Former Buccaneers Head Coach Bruce Arians Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 3:03 am
Former Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians joins Clark and Ira to discuss […]
-
Ep 115: Gil Brandt Joins The Show To Remember Cowboys RB Don Perkinsby Full Press Coverage on June 22, 2022 at 3:46 pm
Pro Football Hall of Famer Gil Brandt joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 114: Former Bengals QB Ken Anderson Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 15, 2022 at 5:12 pm
Former Bengals quarterback and NFL MVP, Ken Anderson, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 113: HOF Voter Barry Wilner Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 6:04 pm
For AP chief correspondent and current Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, […]
-
Ep 112: Colts Owner Jim Irsay Joins To Talk "The Jim Irsay Collection"by Full Press Coverage on May 31, 2022 at 3:05 pm
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay returns to the show to talk with Calrk […]
-
Ep 111: Joe Horrigan Returns To Remember Vietnam Veteran And Former Bills OT Bob Kalsuby Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2022 at 9:25 pm
As we approach Memorial Day, Joe Horrigan returns to the show to talk to […]
-
Ep 110: New Playoff Teams In 2022; Best Matchups On NFL Scehduleby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 3:42 am
Clark, Ira, and Ian give their four teams that didn't make the NFL […]
-
Ep 109: Hall of Fame Voter Ed Bouchette Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 12, 2022 at 6:28 pm
Long time Steelers writer and current Hall of Fame voter, Ed Bouchette […]
-
Ep 235: Most Rostered Dynasty Players in 2022by Full Press Coverage on June 30, 2022 at 2:03 pm
-
Ep 234: Madman Trade Showby Full Press Coverage on June 23, 2022 at 9:36 pm
-
Ep 233: Rookie Draft Roundupby Full Press Coverage on June 9, 2022 at 2:59 am
-
Ep 232: Philosophy of Fantasy Footballby Full Press Coverage on June 3, 2022 at 10:32 pm
-
Early NHL Offseason Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 8:00 pm
From Full Press Hockey Weekly, Jim Biringer and Chris Wassel give their […]
-
Patriots Odds To Win AFC... I'll Take That Betby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 1:58 pm
From FPC Radio LIVE, hosts Ian Glendon and John Sapochetti discuss the New […]
-
6/29 - Avs Win Stanley Cup; NFL News and Notesby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 1:56 pm
Ian and John discuss the Avalanche winning the Stanley Cup and the […]
-
6/24 - WSOP; NBA Finals Talk; Stanley Cup Coming To An End; NBA Draftby Full Press Coverage on June 24, 2022 at 2:15 pm
Ian and John are back to discuss the World Series of Poker, the NBA Finals […]
-
6/15 - Celtics Falter In San Fran, Can They Force A Game 7?by Full Press Coverage on June 15, 2022 at 4:23 pm
Ian and John discuss the Celtics loss in Game 5 and what they have to do […]
-
6/13 - Goodfellas; Celtics/Warriors, Stanley Cup Finalby Full Press Coverage on June 13, 2022 at 4:46 pm
Ian and John discuss the Celtics loss in Game 4 and look ahead to Game 5 […]
-
Are The Celtics In The Heads Of The Warriors?by Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 5:50 pm
Ian and John discuss the Celtics Game Two win as well as if they are […]
-
6/10 - Jason Alexander; Tom Brady; Celtics/Warriorsby Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 2:24 pm
Ian and John discuss the Tom Brady non answer, Jason Alexander's weekend, […]
-
6/6 - Josh Allen Overhyped? Celtics/Warriors Game Twoby Full Press Coverage on June 6, 2022 at 2:46 pm
Ian and John discuss whether or not Josh Allen is being overhyped and they […]
-
6/3 - Celtics Take Game One From Golden Stateby Full Press Coverage on June 3, 2022 at 10:46 pm
Ian and John discuss the Celtics big win over the Warriors in game one of […]
-
Ep 38: Tyreek Hill Traded To The Dolphinsby Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2022 at 12:10 am
Ian and Braden react to the trade of Tyreek Hill from the Chiefs to the […]
-
Ep 37: Matt Ryan Traded To The Colts; Jameis Returns To NOLA; Mariota to ATLby Full Press Coverage on March 23, 2022 at 6:00 pm
Ian and Braden react to the trade of Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts […]
-
Talkamania Episode 227by Talkamania on June 12, 2022 at 3:27 am
-
Talkamania Episode 228by Talkamania on June 12, 2022 at 3:04 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 188 "MITB Preview"by Boot 2 The Face on June 26, 2022 at 10:25 pm
Rucker and Marty are back talking the updated Forbidden Door ppv, injuries […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 186 "Cody Did What?"by Boot 2 The Face on June 13, 2022 at 12:21 am
Boys are back talking WWE HIAC, and the crazy effort put forth by Cody […]
-
Ep 235: Most Rostered Dynasty Players in 2022by Full Press Coverage on June 30, 2022 at 2:03 pm
-
Early NHL Offseason Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 8:00 pm
-
Ep 74: Bruce Cassidy Fired; Bergeron Returning?; Bruins Front Office Blameby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 5:48 pm
-
Patriots Odds To Win AFC... I'll Take That Betby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 1:58 pm
-
6/29 - Avs Win Stanley Cup; NFL News and Notesby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 1:56 pm
-
Ep 116: Former Buccaneers Head Coach Bruce Arians Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 3:03 am
-
Hockey Hall of Fame Reaction; Making The Case For Alexander Mogilnyby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 12:39 am
-
Ep. 191 - Kyrie Irving Craziness Part 2000by Full Press Coverage on June 28, 2022 at 11:07 pm
-
Episode 53 Criss Partee breaks down the latest NBA offseason newsby Full Press Coverage on June 28, 2022 at 5:50 am
-
Ep 136: For the Love of Footballby Full Press Coverage on June 27, 2022 at 9:31 pm
-
6/29 - Avs Win Stanley Cup; NFL News and Notesby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 1:56 pm
-
6/24 - WSOP; NBA Finals Talk; Stanley Cup Coming To An End; NBA Draftby Full Press Coverage on June 24, 2022 at 2:15 pm
-
6/15 - Celtics Falter In San Fran, Can They Force A Game 7?by Full Press Coverage on June 15, 2022 at 4:23 pm
-
6/13 - Goodfellas; Celtics/Warriors, Stanley Cup Finalby Full Press Coverage on June 13, 2022 at 4:46 pm
-
Are The Celtics In The Heads Of The Warriors?by Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 5:50 pm
-
6/10 - Jason Alexander; Tom Brady; Celtics/Warriorsby Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 2:24 pm
-
6/6 - Josh Allen Overhyped? Celtics/Warriors Game Twoby Full Press Coverage on June 6, 2022 at 2:46 pm
-
6/3 - Celtics Take Game One From Golden Stateby Full Press Coverage on June 3, 2022 at 10:46 pm
-
5/27 - RIP Ray Liotta; Golden State Advances; Celtics On The Vergeby Full Press Coverage on May 27, 2022 at 7:00 pm
-
5/25 - Texas Tragedy; Celtics/Heat Game Fiveby Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2022 at 7:21 pm