McDavid and his line threaten to snuff out Flames
EDMONTON The Calgary Flames need to figure out a way to at least begin to contain Connor McDavid.
The same goes for Leon Draisaitl. Evander Kane, too.
Because if they don’t start putting up some roadblocks to slow down the Oilers captain and his scorching-hot linemates, the first playoff Battle of Alberta in 31 years could be over quicker than most thought possible — and with the opposite result.
McDavid, Draisaitl and Kane have combined for 55 points in 10 postseason contests this spring, including an outrageous 21 through three against the Flames in a secondround series that Edmonton leads 2-1, heading into Tuesday’s Game 4.
“We’ve got to be above them more; we’ve got to check better,” Calgary defenceman Noah Hanifin said Monday. “That’s a great line and (McDavid’s) a great player. But we’ve just got to take away his strengths, which is his skating and (chances) off the rush.”
A good skater in his own right, Hanifin was torched by McDavid in the neutral zone on the sequence that led to Kane’s second of three goals during a frantic six-minute span in Sunday’s 4-1 victory that nudged the Oilers ahead in the best-of-seven matchup.
“That’s his game,” Hanifin added. “You’ve just gotta be aware when he’s on the ice and make sure you’re not putting yourself in a position where you can get beat, or you’re vulnerable to his speed. The awareness is key.”
Oilers interim head coach Jay Woodcraft, who loaded up his top line in Game 6 of Edmonton’s firstround series against the Los Angeles Kings, is keenly aware that what he’s watching from the bench on a nightly basis isn’t close to normal.
McDavid has 23 points, already more than the final totals of six post-season scoring leaders dating back to 2003. The 25-year-old has somehow found another gear in these playoffs.
“I get a front-row seat,” Woodcroft said. “What he’s doing is special. He’s inspiring every person in our organization to be the best that they can be, whether it’s Richard in the mailroom or Shauna in HR.
“What he’s bringing to the table each and every day, it is pushing this entire organization and our city forward.”
What the Flames, who were among the NHL’s best defensive teams during the regular season in topping the Pacific Division, will look to do Tuesday night is try and put the brakes on what’s been a runaway No. 97 train. That includes getting back to an identity and foundation that’s largely been lacking for a group on its heels since the second period of Game 2.
McDavid established a league record with his ninth multi-point game out of 10 to start a post-season Sunday, while Kane leads the NHL with 10 goals and became just the fourth Edmonton player to score multiple hat-tricks in a playoffs — joining Jari Kurri, Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky.
Calgary winger Milan Lucic — booted from Sunday’s game in the third period after barrelling over Edmonton goalie Mike Smith — said the Flames need to find a better balance against their rival.
“Maybe our focus has been a little bit too much on the Oilers and we’ve started playing their game a little bit more than we’ve wanted,” Lucic said. “All our energy and focus has to go into finding our game.
“When we do that, we give ourselves a really good chance.”