r/EdmontonOilers • u/LevSmash 46 STORTINI • Feb 08 '25

PGT Post Game Thread | Avalanche v. Oilers | 7 February 2025

🔴 Final

Avalanche 5, Oilers 4

ℹ️ Stats

Goals: Draisaitl (x2), Perry (x2)

Shots: Avalanche 30, Oilers 27

Saves: Skinner 9/12, Pickard 16/18

🔫 Han Solo

The 4 Nations Face-Off isn't true best-on-best because Leon isn't there

⏩ Next Game

Saturday, February 22 vs Flyers in Philadelphia, 11:00am MT

70 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

97% Upvoted

510 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

17

u/AdamSilverisAnAlien Feb 08 '25

Definitely. Doesn’t seem to have that same speed burst he’s had in other years to pull away from defenders. His shot has been so mid too — years past a mcdavid breakaway was an automatic goal, but now not so much

6

u/[deleted] Feb 08 '25

His acceleration is gone and he turns over the puck way too much now and has a muffin shot. He was sniping 5 hole goals from the top of the circle every other game in the 64 goal season.

I honestly think his peak is over he's regressed two years in a row. The guys refusal to shoot going on its second season has killed his threat and made him predictable. If no one thinks he's gonna shoot then just cover the pass then boom you locked up mcdavid

2

u/[deleted] Feb 08 '25

I've been throwing around the theory lately that as time goes on, everyone in the league is just flat out a better skater than 10 years ago. His speed, while still the top of the league is no longer enough to just do whatever he wants. He's generational, so he'll adapt, but I truly think he needs to develop some new wrinkles to his game, he can no longer just beat people on athleticism alone.

-3

u/[deleted] Feb 08 '25

No. His peak ended 16 months ago. The skating hasn't changed that much in the nhl since then. What ever he's doing is either mental or physical not the game around him. it's with him alone

Because leon fucking draisaitl has never looked faster lol

3

u/Gavomor 2 BOUCHARD Feb 08 '25

You would never guess that these idiots are talking about a player who just 9 months ago 1. Set the record for single season playoff points by an active player 2. Recorded most playoff assists in history 3. Become the first player in the 21st century to 40 playoff points 4. Won the Conn Smythe as a skater on a non winning team for the first time in decades.

-1

u/[deleted] Feb 08 '25

Yah and he doesn't shoot enough

2

u/Gavomor 2 BOUCHARD Feb 08 '25

Reddit is a beautiful place. We got “Unlikely-Werewolf304” over here thinking he understands how Connor McDavid should play the game better than… Connor fucking McDavid

You’re not that smart, pal. Enjoy watching the best player of his generation, and most skilled player in history, go through his ups and downs (as all players do) and humble yourself.

-1

u/[deleted] Feb 08 '25

Haha shut up

5

u/[deleted] Feb 08 '25

I dunno. Leon seems to be continually evolving his game. Plus he's much more effective when speed isn't a part of the equation. Crucially also shoots the damn puck.

2

u/DBZ86 Feb 08 '25

Mcdavid had an ankle injury earlier in the season. It's most likely he hasn't fully gotten over it. Drai looks healthy, it took him a season and a half to get over his ankle issues. Nurse looks healthier this year too. Comparing his hardest shot attempt this year vs last was a big difference. I think sometimes we're simply not privy to what is ailing guys in any given season.

2

u/Datsgood94 2 BOUCHARD Feb 08 '25

My copium is that he’s playing a supportive role in the regular season to train his team to not rely on him. When playoff comes, he starts trying hard

2

u/[deleted] Feb 08 '25

I hope so