Edmonton Oilers captain Conor McDavid has defeated criticism of his team’s defensive capabilities after the Oilers’ 4-1 series Vegas Golden Knights victory.
Conor McDavid hits after the Oilers defeated the Golden Knights in the series
The Edmonton Oilers take another step into the Stanley Cup final after beating the Vegas Golden Knights 4-1 overall in the NHL Playoff Series, facing either the Dallas Star or the Winnipeg Jets.
After winning the first two matches, the Oilers were beaten in home soil and raised the series to 2-1 overall, without acknowledging goals, earning the next two.
It will close out some NHL fans six consecutive periods (with overtime) as the Oilers have recognized the third most goals in the regular season from all other playoffsides.
This overwhelmingly defensive display was a topic of conversation before the NHL playoffs, and Conor McDavid spoke quickly about these criticisms after passing the Golden Knights.
He said: “How many times will I answer this question? Honestly, it’s frustrating to continue talking about this we can protect, and we’ve shown it over and over again.
“You can enter a tough building and win a 1-0 game when it matters most. We can play that way. You can score goals. Whatever it is, you can win a game.”
McDavid played a key role in the Oilers’ victory over the Golden Knights, registering an assist in the final encounter on all five games bases.
The fourth-highest pay player in the NHL also spoke about the sense that NHL fans, analysts and enthusiasts proved wrong.
He said: “There are probably a lot of people who thought it would be five or older, and maybe not many people who thought we would win.
“We have a lot of belief in this room. It’s fun to be involved. We put ourselves in a good position and continue to give us opportunities. We keep knocking on the door.
