McDavid Didn’t Want to Sit Game 56 of Oilers Regular Season

In a game that means absolutely nothing to the Edmonton Oilers’ position in the standings, the best player in the world and the leading scorer in the NHL isn’t taking a day off. Connor McDavid is playing on Saturday afternoon against the Vancouver Canucks, even though Oilers’ head coach Dave Tippett asked if he’d like to rest.

While goaltender Mike Smith chose to sit — there was a big break between the last game and when the playoffs start — McDavid wants to play. Mark Spector of Sportsnet is reporting that McDavid was offered a chance to sit but wanted to stay fresh. He had no desire to watch the final game of a really strong Oilers regular season from the press box.

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While some will argue the Oilers are playing with fire heading into the 2020-21 NHL playoffs, and there’s really no need to trot McDavid out there, the captain is on an incredible streak. It’s one he’d like to take into the postseason with him and a day off simply opens up a small door to halt his momentum.

Either way you look at it, (points or no points on Saturday) McDavid getting that last game in helps. He could have a big game and score three points, thus feeling great about his stretch to finish out the year. Or, he could score no points and come into the first-round match up with the Winnipeg Jets with a bit of an attitude.

McDavid Wants to Enter Jets Series On Fire

In 55 games, McDavid has 104 points. In his last seven games alone he’s scored 20 points. Insiders are suggesting it will be all the Winnipeg Jets can do to slow him down. Winnipeg doesn’t really have the physical horses on defense to make McDavid’s life difficult. The best they can do is try to avoid him exploding offensively. Considering he’s scored 22 points against them this season, that won’t be easy.

The Oilers went 7-2 against the Jets this season. Outside of Edmonton, the Jets actually had an even or winning record against all other North Division teams, including the Toronto Maple Leafs where they went 4-4 on the season. The Oilers won’t want to take the Jets lightly and McDavid playing on Saturday simply suggests he wants to be firing on all cylinders to open the Round 1.

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