Oilers’ McDavid was ‘never close’ to missing Game 5 victory
The Edmonton Oilers finally looked like themselves on Tuesday night as they cruised to a 4-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks to stave off elimination and cut the Ducks’ series lead down to 3-2.
In the lead-up to the game, it seemed as though they may be without captain and superstar Connor McDavid, who was designated as a game-time decision after the team’s morning skate by head coach Kris Knoblauch.
After the win, McDavid shared just how much his status was actually in question during an interview on the TNT broadcast’s postgame show.
“Never. Never close,” McDavid said in response to the TNT panel. “We’ve got a lot of guys that are digging in and giving everything they got. That was never an option.”
McDavid delivered two assists, one at even strength and one on the power play, in a game that was never in doubt against a Ducks team that has seemingly had an answer for Edmonton all series.
“(The Ducks) have been playing really well, and I don’t think we’ve been at our best,” McDavid said. “It’s just the way it is. I thought we got off to a good start. Obviously, that helps. Playing with the lead is always nice. Special teams has been a bit of an Achilles heel this series, and I thought coming out even on the special teams battle was big. We just found a way tonight. We got to get one win at a time, and we got to go win a big one on Thursday.”
McDavid’s first assist came on a tip-in goal by Leon Draisaitl that gave the Oilers a quick 3-0 lead and chased Anaheim goalie Lukas Dostal from the contest. His second, also on a goal by Draisaitl, was a pivotal response that came less than two minutes after the Ducks’ lone tally.
“We’ve been doing this a long time together, we know where each other are going to be,” McDavid said of playing with his co-star. “The chemistry is just there. He’s a special player, and he’s somebody who really elevates guys. He’s a superstar that makes everyone around him better.”
Edmonton is looking to go on a run to its third consecutive Stanley Cup Final after falling to the Florida Panthers in both of the past two years.
The slow start to the series, coupled with the fact that McDavid is most certainly not alone in fighting through a physical ailment, has raised questions about whether or not the Oilers have enough gas left in the tank to rally to beat a young, hungry, fresh Anaheim team.
Now, the Oilers live to fight another day, as they prepare to head back to Orange County for Game 6, which is set for Thursday night with a 10:00 PM EST puck drop.