EDMONTON — Connor McDavid is facing an unfamiliar challenge in the opening round of the NHL playoffs: finding his rhythm.
The Oilers' electrifying captain remained pointless Wednesday night at Rogers Place as Edmonton fell 6-4 to the Anaheim Ducks, leaving the best-of-seven series knotted at one game apiece. Despite leading the league in regular-season scoring, McDavid managed just four shots and registered a minus-2 rating in a performance that will surely weigh on his mind heading into Game 3.
The superstar's night was marked by costly turnovers and missed opportunities. His most damaging miscue came midway through the second period when his backhand attempt toward the blue line was intercepted by Anaheim's Alex Killorn, who quickly found Ryan Poehling for a short-handed goal that extended the Ducks' lead to 4-2.
A Scare and a Rally
McDavid also dealt with a scare early in the second period when he collided with teammate Mattias Ekholm. His right leg appeared to buckle momentarily on the play, causing him to briefly exit the game. However, the 27-year-old centre returned to action after testing his ankle, determined to push through despite visible discomfort.
"I just rolled up on it a little bit. It's fine," McDavid said matter-of-factly after the loss.
Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch acknowledged his captain's frustration but expressed confidence in a turnaround.
"He's putting a lot of pressure on himself. He wants the team to do well. He's a leader and usually when we have success, he's a big part of that," Knoblauch said. "There've been stretches during the season that he hasn't been the best player, nights where he haven't been outstanding. That doesn't happen very often and I'm certain that he's going to find his game."
The Oilers opened the series with a 4-3 victory in Game 1, but Wednesday's defeat forces the team to travel south for Game 3 on Friday at the Honda Centre in Anaheim — the first playoff game there since 2018. Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday.
For McDavid and Edmonton, the message is clear: the star-studded Oilers roster must solve the Ducks' defence while their captain rediscovers the magic that made him the NHL's most dominant offensive force this season.
This article is based on reporting from Global Calgary.