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Shot-free McDavid result of entire team effort: Canucks

Oiler superstar failed to register a shot on goal for the first time ever in a playoff game
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Vancouver CanucksB次元官网网址 Nils Hoglander (21) and Edmonton OilersB次元官网网址 Connor McDavid (97) vie for the puck during the first period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

The Vancouver Canucks accomplished a first on Wednesday B次元官网网址 they prevented Connor McDavid from getting a shot on net.

It was the first time in 55 career playoff games the superstar has failed to register a shot.

The milestone came in a game where the Canucks mounted a dramatic third-period comeback before securing a 5-4 win in Game 1 of the second-round Stanley Cup playoff series.

Corralling McDavid takes an entire team, said Vancouver captain Quinn Hughes.

B次元官网网址淲e just did a good job as a five-man unit and everyone knew what theyB次元官网网址檙e doing and no one was off script,B次元官网网址 the defenceman said after the victory. B次元官网网址淎nd when everyone is on the same page, it makes it easier to defend a special player like that. So we watched a lot of film and weB次元官网网址檝e just got to keep doing that.B次元官网网址

McDavid contributed a secondary assist on Zach HymanB次元官网网址檚 second-period goal Wednesday and has points in all six of EdmontonB次元官网网址檚 playoff games this year. He leads the league in post-season scoring with one goal and 12 assists.

Over six post-season runs, the elite centre has amassed 30 goals and 58 assists.

The Canucks know just how dangerous McDavid can be, said blue liner Nikita Zadorov.

B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 one of the best players in the world, so youB次元官网网址檙e trying to limit his space and take away the scoring chances for him for sure,B次元官网网址 he said Wednesday.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e been talking for a few days about our defensive structure, how we want to play against those guys. ThatB次元官网网址檚 our game.B次元官网网址

The Oilers are good at finding open ice where they can gather speed, and the Canucks limited that in Game 1, said defenceman Carson Soucy, who was often out against McDavid.

B次元官网网址淚 think our forwards all night just did a good job of kind of being in front of them while theyB次元官网网址檙e trying to wind up their speed,B次元官网网址 he said Thursday.

B次元官网网址淎nd then in the d-zone, I think we did a good job of closing when we could, giving them their space, just kind of limit that extra breakdown.B次元官网网址

Shutting down McDavid was a strength for Vancouver during the regular season. In three games against the Canucks, the Hart Trophy nominee was limited to one goal and two assists, and had a -4 plus-minus rating.

Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet said he doesnB次元官网网址檛 put much stock in those numbers.

B次元官网网址淭his guyB次元官网网址檚, heB次元官网网址檚 the best. HeB次元官网网址檚 probably going to be the best ever,B次元官网网址 he said Thursday. B次元官网网址淵ou gotta remember we got (the Oilers) early start the year when things werenB次元官网网址檛 great for them. And he never played the last game. B次元官网网址 I donB次元官网网址檛 know if we have any magic against him.B次元官网网址

One key to keeping skilled players off the scoresheet is to skate forward on defence, the coach added.

B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 like backwards skating and I think that helps us defend better,B次元官网网址 he said. B次元官网网址淲e preach that all year.B次元官网网址

Vancouver isnB次元官网网址檛 expecting the exact same tactics to work for the rest of the best-of-seven series, however, Tocchet said.

TheyB次元官网网址檒l have to find other ways to limit McDavidB次元官网网址檚 opportunities heading into Game 2 in Vancouver on Friday.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 one game at a time,B次元官网网址 he said after Game 1. B次元官网网址淵ou make adjustments, both sides will make adjustments. All year, weB次元官网网址檝e been a good defending team. And I think we have something to fall back on if things donB次元官网网址檛 go our way. ThatB次元官网网址檚 our foundation.B次元官网网址

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