(Edmonton) Connor McDavid has spent his entire life working towards this moment.
Cool winter nights on the outdoor rinks. The countless hours spent in arenas. Long bus journeys. Training in the scorching summer heat. Hours of skating, stickhandling, shooting.
Aided by good genes and an unparalleled work ethic, the Oilers captain went from hopeful to prodigy to superstar.
He is now two victories away from lifting the Stanley Cup.
“You think when you’re in that situation, you’re going to feel a magical feeling,” McDavid said Thursday.
“It’s still unknown, but to be honest, I feel like everything is going pretty normally. »
McDavid has shone with aplomb since Edmonton lost the first three games to the Florida Panthers in the final.
The Panthers must therefore return to the Alberta capital for Game 6 on Friday.
“I don’t think you can be exceptional at anything unless you deeply love what you do,” Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said of the 27-year-old Ontarian. He loves playing hockey. »
With 42 points in the playoffs, McDavid is trailed only by Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux in a single year.
“He’s very competitive,” Knoblauch added. He wants to win, he wants to be the best. His love and passion for hockey allows him to make these plays at important moments. »
Oilers forward Corey Perry has had many leaders over a long career, including a Cup Final triumph in 2007 with Anaheim.
McDavid’s style is calm, confident, very professional.
“Everybody knows what they can do,” Perry, 39, said. He is a tremendous, world-class player. He lets his game do the talking. He’s not the type to shout in the locker room. (Defender and Hall of Famer) Scott Niedermayer was the same. »
Edmonton is trying to become the second club in NHL history after the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1942 to win a final after falling behind 0-3.
