Team's focus now turns to playoffs
Series against Montreal expected to be a ‘good test’ as team looks for improvement
Saturday night was all about celebrating Connor Mcdavid and a milestone achievement that hasn't been seen in the NHL in a quarter century.
It was about a generational player delivering a generational performance — 100 points in 53 games. But from here on in, it's all about the Edmonton Oilers.
As beautiful and as jaw-dropping as Mcdavid's assault on the league's statistical leaderboard has been, all that matters now is the first round of the playoffs. That's the way Mcdavid wants it, and that's the way his team wants it.
“We obviously have bigger things to worry about,” the Oilers captain said after his magical four-point night Saturday against the Vancouver Canucks.
“We're going to play a big series against Montreal. It will be a good test for us to get ready for the playoffs. We want to go on a good run here. We're gearing up for that and we need to focus on that more than anything else.”
Some people might be eager to see just how high Mcdavid can push his point total in the final three games of the season, but he won't be one of them.
“It's not about points, it's about keeping your game where it needs to be, your intensity level where it needs to be,” he said. “That's the main focus for our whole group. Staying sharp, focusing on the details and keeping ourselves ready for Game 1.”
That's the exact messaging head coach Dave Tippett wants to hear from his leader. As much as everyone is thrilled that their captain had a spectacular night on hockey's biggest stage, they also recognize it's just the opening act for the main attraction.
“Connor is like the rest of us,” said Tippett. “We want to continue to push our game forward. I think Connor is probably relieved that the 100 is behind him and he can concentrate on preparing for playoffs.
“He's probably relieved that it's over with and let's get on with the business of the playoffs. He's really dialed in to making sure our team is ready.”
As it turns out, the two things — getting dialed in for the playoffs and picking up points — are very much intertwined. It's that focus, that attention to detail and that desire to step his game up for the post-season that enabled Mcdavid to find another level and easily reach the century mark.
It's no coincidence that as he shifted into playoff mode he put up 31 points in his last 11 games.
“I've just been focusing on trying to be prepared every night,” said the 24-year-old. “Team success comes first, and the team has been able to play some good hockey most of the season, with the exception of the first month.
“When the team is playing well, that's when individual are having success. And you're seeing lots of guys have some really good seasons.”
But it's the post-season that counts. So while it's great for fans to sit back and cherish 100 points in 53 games, and appreciate the
kind of individual performances they're seeing from the likes of Leon Draisaitl, Darnell Nurse, Tyson Barrie and Mike Smith, the view inside the room is much different. And it starts at the top.
“He wants to win,” Nurse said of Mcdavid. “That emotion and drive is infectious when your leader comes in with that mindset, that winning is the only thing that we care about.
“He's come in driven and hungry, not so much for personal success, but for the team and to make this a memorable year.
“His personal stats and success came because he was focusing on what we could do to be better as a team and what we could do to win. Our group has really bought into that, as well.”
From here on in, there is only one goal that matters.
“We're looking forward to getting these three games over with, do it the right way, and start Game 1,” said Draisaitl. “We'll use these games to worry about the little things, the details, the things that make a team win.”
500 FOR DRAISAITL
Somewhat lost in the celebration of Mcdavid's milestone was another one from Draisaitl, who hit 500 points in 475 career games.
“I'm proud of it, no question,
but I'm planning on playing a few more years,” he said. “The fun years are still ahead here in Edmonton.”
600 FOR LARSSON
Blue-collar defenceman Adam Larsson hit 600 career games on Saturday to round out the milestone hat-trick. With how intensely Larsson plays, those games are like dog years — 600 to him is like a 1,000 for most
players.
“That's a hard, hard, 600 games,” said Draisaitl. “I don't think I've ever played with a guy who plays that hard that consistently every single night.
“He sets the bar for our work ethic very high. He gets us engaged on a lot of nights. It's very impressive accomplishment and he has a lot more left in the tank.”