Photo Credit: John E. Sokolowski/USA TODAY SPORTS
A few weeks back, Canadian Hero Nazem Kadri did a great job in giving Connor McDavid an excuse for his underwhelming performance “I’ve been waiting my whole life for this” game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre. Some call it a brilliant shutdown performance by Kadri , some call it a cold night for the best player in the world, some call it subtle tanking while the clock winds down to July 1st, 2022.
It was probably a mixture of A and B, but whatever it was, they’re going to give it another go tonight in Edmonton.
The Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs lines courtesy of Daily Faceoff
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
 James van Riemsdyk |
 Tyler Bozak |
 Mitchell Marner |
 Zach Hyman |
 Auston Matthews |
 Connor Brown |
 Leo Komarov |
 Nazem Kadri |
 Nikita Soshnikov |
 Matt Martin |
 Ben Smith |
 William Nylander |
| Defensive Pairings | |
|---|---|
 Morgan Rielly |
 Nikita Zaitsev |
 Jake Gardiner |
 Connor Carrick |
 Matt Hunwick |
 Roman Polak |
I believe in a day where Hunlak is no longer a thing. It still isn’t today. Free Frank Corrado.
The Oilers
Edmonton Oilers lines courtesy of Daily Faceoff
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
 Milan Lucic |
 Connor McDavid |
 Jesse Puljujarvi |
 Patrick Maroon |
 Ryan Nugent-Hopkins |
 Jordan Eberle |
 Benoit Pouliot |
 Leon Draisaitl |
 Drake Caggiula |
 Matt Hendricks |
 Mark Letestu |
 Zack Kassian |
| Defensive Pairings | |
|---|---|
 Oscar Klefbom |
 Adam Larsson |
 Andrej Sekera |
 Kris Russell |
 Darnell Nurse |
 Matt Benning |
If the Oilers win tonight, it’s entirely because of Kris Russell, just like it always is. People will point to his on-ice shooting and save percentages, but they haven’t done enough research into his will to win per sixty.
Okay, sass aside, I’m just really excited to see Connor play more hockey, he’s the best. Now, back to the sass.
Starting Goaltenders
Nothing has been confirmed yet, but we’re likely looking at Andersen and Talbot again. Both are playing well, both have gotten some rest, and neither team seems to believe much in their backup.
Never Forget
No. 97 on playing his first NHL game here in his hometown: “It means a lot.” pic.twitter.com/fimkFCCGIv
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) November 1, 2016
Nazem Kadri welcomes Connor McDavid home… pic.twitter.com/KGDXpf1VF8
— Jeff Veillette (@JeffVeillette) November 1, 2016
Nikita Zaitsev shuts down Connor McDavid not once, but twice pic.twitter.com/4RHHTPdZBN
— Jeff Veillette (@JeffVeillette) November 1, 2016
Nazem Kadri’s game plan for tonight is seriously just “make Connor McDavid feel uncomfortable, always” pic.twitter.com/4VNeVrjl2g
— Jeff Veillette (@JeffVeillette) November 2, 2016
McDavid’s reaction was something along the lines of “Wow, Nazem Kadri noticed me! This is so cool!” pic.twitter.com/RYyW0qkaKN
— Jeff Veillette (@JeffVeillette) November 2, 2016
Connor McDavid takes advantage of the opportunity to have a conversation with a player he looked up to as a young boy pic.twitter.com/L6cCzZRMAQ
— Jeff Veillette (@JeffVeillette) November 2, 2016
Nazem Kadri dances around Connor McDavid, fights him off, and scores the winner in 3-on-3 OT. pic.twitter.com/Qm9FucZ4H6
— Jeff Veillette (@JeffVeillette) November 2, 2016
What Else To Look Out For
If we’re being honest about the whole thing, the Oilers have first change and they’re going to try to get McDavid’s line out there against Bozak or Smith, rather than Kadri or Matthews. If they’re successful, this could get a little silly, but I guess we’ll have to see.
Oh, Right
#ConnorMcDavidFreeAgentWatch
ROMAT HUNKLACK TO THE RESCUE
I’m sure he’s excited to see Nurse again.
Add a year onto the counter for when Auston bails on the Leafs to go back to Arizona. https://uploads.disquscdn.c…
Are you haunted?
Nah I find the delusional thinking entertaining.
LMAO!!!
if you think there will still be a team in Arizona to go to then knock yourself out.
It’ll be interesting to see how it all plays out. When players go to the States don’t usually come back home. Now that we have our own superstars in the making, it’ll be interesting to see If they stay. It’ll be an important time for hockey clubs in Canada.
Is that the Stamkos countdown repurposed? How about a countdown until this team is a place that FA’s don’t laugh in their agents’ faces over offers from?