Analyzing Connor McDavid’s 5-on-5 affect in opposition to the Los Angeles Kings


Connor McDavid performed a key function within the Edmonton Oilers’ series-tying comeback win in opposition to the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday, allotting three assists. Usually, a multi-point efficiency from McDavid doesn’t warrant a lot consideration, however the Kings have constantly bottled him up, particularly at even power.

Two of McDavid’s three assists in Recreation 4 on Sunday got here at 5-on-5 — his first even-strength factors of the collection. In eight regular-season and playoff video games in opposition to the Kings in 2022-23, McDavid has three even-strength factors — one purpose and people two assists.

By 4 first-round video games, the Oilers have carried play with McDavid on the ice at 5-on-5. Pictures on internet are 46-35 in Edmonton’s favour, together with 20-12 from the slot.

Objectives, nevertheless, are even at three apiece. The Oilers scored all three of theirs in Recreation 4 with McDavid and Leon Draisaitl on the ice collectively in opposition to Anze Kopitar, Adrian Kempe and Quinton Byfield. McDavid has but to crack Phillip Danault, who has been in command of guarding him, together with linemates Trevor Moore and Viktor Arvidsson.


Individually, McDavid is doing his half to assist create offence at 5-on-5, finishing eight of his 15 slot passes and producing six slot photographs on internet of his personal. Goaltender Joonas Korpisalo has been wonderful for Los Angeles, saving 2.26 targets above anticipated in 212:41 of 5-on-5 taking part in time. That’s out of McDavid’s fingers.


The Kings’ 1-3-1 neutral-zone forecheck has made it harder for McDavid to assault the web with pace, which is when he’s at his most harmful. McDavid has three scoring possibilities off the push in 4 video games at 5-on-5, and the Oilers have seven as a workforce with their captain on the ice. McDavid, nevertheless, weaved by way of a maze of Kings defenders in organising Evander Kane’s game-tying purpose Sunday.


Because the collection returns to Edmonton for Recreation 5 on Tuesday, the Oilers’ greatest wager could be to maintain McDavid and Draisaitl on the identical line. With the good thing about final change, they’ll isolate and put on down Danault or Kopitar, the latter of whom had a tough time dealing with the Oilers’ souped-up high line on Sunday. The Oilers outshot the Kings 12-10 (8-6 from the slot) when their high two scorers have been on the ice.

It was solely a matter of time earlier than McDavid broke by way of offensively at 5-on-5. If that continues, the Kings are in hassle.

“It’s not like they weren’t doing plenty of good issues. They have been. It simply didn’t go within the internet for them,” Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft instructed reporters Sunday, discussing the play of his star gamers. “I see a whole lot of our gamers throughout it. We have now a perception that when you do issues tougher and longer than the opposition that finally you get rewarded.”

All stats from Sportlogiq

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