Earlier this week, the Edmonton Oilers’ dynamic duo opened up about the emotional toll of falling short at the Olympics with both stars experiencing heartbreak in their pursuit of gold medals.
For Connor McDavid, the question cut deep. With a resume that includes comparisons to Gretzky and Crosby, why hasn’t hockey’s ultimate prize found him yet?
“Hard question, but you know Stanley Cups found Gretzky and Crosby and those guys and Gold medals… Did you think it would be this hard?” he was asked.
“It’s disappointing, no way around it,” McDavid answered. “You could be sitting here having a totally different conversation if things had gone a little bit differently.”
Connor McDavid looks back on being denied final glory
The 29-year-old captain has positioned himself for greatness time and again only to see championships slip through his fingers. The Stanley Cup remains elusive. Olympic gold, too, is now a dream deferred.
McDavid’s response was introspective.
“It’s hard to win. It’s hard to win at any level, especially when we’re talking about the best of the very very best in the NHL and the Olympics. Margins are very very small and we obviously saw that on Sunday.”
But rather than dwelling on what might have been, McDavid is looking forward. When asked if the disappointment could fuel him further, he said, “It’s all part of the process. I mean, that’s what it’s got to be. What other option do I have?”
Leon Draisaitl opens up on captaincy
Asked about his challenges and experience wearing the “C” for Team Germany at the Olympics and perhaps the possible implications in Edmonton, Leon Draisaitl’s response was telling.
“I’m not the biggest fan of reading too much into the letters,” Draisaitl said firmly.
It was an opportunity to talk about his own leadership journey, his own moment in the spotlight. Instead, Draisaitl’s first instinct was to redirect attention back to Edmonton and to his Oilers captain.
“Connor has been the captain. He’s the face of our team. We’re all doing it together. We’re all in the same boat,” Draisaitl said, referring to the Oilers.
Draisaitl reminded that your captain is still your captain and that Olympic heartbreak, his own included is something they all carry together.
“Every day is a challenge,” Draisaitl said. “It was a great experience, very honoured to be able to lead that group. I wish it was obviously with a better ending.”
Leon Draisaitl earned first star honours in win over Los Angeles
The Oilers meanwhile scooped an 8–1 win over the Los Angeles Kings in their latest matchup. Edmonton exploded offensively with six even-strength goals and two power play markers thoroughly overwhelming the Kings throughout all three periods (2–1, 3–0, 3–0).
Leon Draisaitl starred with a goal and three assists earning first star honours. Connor McDavid tallied a goal and an assist as he reached yet another 100-point season in his spectacular career. Zach Hyman (1G, 2A) and Jake Walman’s two-goal performance also powered the Oilers’ offensive onslaught. The Oilers dominated in faceoffs with a 67% winning percentage and outshot the Kings 37–22, while their power play went 2/3.
Edmonton now sits second in the Pacific Division behind Vegas. They’re currently in a playoff position as the division’s runner-up, though Anaheim (31–23) holds third place.
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
