NHL connor mcdavid

The 2022 Stanley Cup Final begins Wednesday with an intriguing matchup between two powerhouse teams filled with some of the NHL's brightest stars.

In some years, the collective efforts of McDavid and Draisaitl would have been enough to carry the Oilers to the final with a chance to win it all. Instead, McDavid and Draisaitl will have to watch as two of the NHL’s elite teams face off for glory. Four of Draisaitl’s six points against the Avalanche came in the fourth and final game when he was noticeably limping as he skated off to end shifts and winced as he sat on the bench. Throw in a solid series against the Avs, and McDavid’s postseason was the stuff of legends. Don’t forget that Erik Karlsson received a third-place vote for willing the Senators to overtime of Game 7 in the conference final against the defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins in 2017. Also working against the Oilers captain is Draisaitl being almost his equal. Sure, the Oilers dealt with some injuries like any team does, but the bigger issues were a lack of a fourth line and inconsistent defensive play from the net on out. It’s up to Holland and his staff to take the necessary steps to ensure the Oilers’ roster is better. How exceptional were McDavid and Draisaitl? Consider this stat from the NHL: Only two players in league history collected more points in a postseason prior to the final. The way he carried the Oilers for those two elimination games against the Kings was a sight to behold. He followed up his fourth Art Ross Trophy by lapping the non-Draisaitl field in points. McDavid is just 24 and seems to find a way to improve every year.