McDavid reveals the lowest point of his career and sparked the changes
Photo credit: NHL.com
The Edmonton Oilers have punched their ticket to the second round of the playoffs where they'll face off against the Vancouver Canucks, marking a dramatic turnaround from their shaky start this season. Today, Oilers captain Connor McDavid shared the pivotal moment that helped flip their fortunes.
Earlier in the season, the Oilers found themselves tied for last place in the league following a loss to the San Jose Sharks on November 9th, as reported by Sharks beat writer Sheng Peng. This match was a low point for the Oilers, sparking significant changes within the team.
McDavid Calls Losing to Sharks This Season 'Low Point' of His Career
Pierre LeBrun
of The Athletic elaborated on this critical juncture, detailing how the events surrounding that game became a catalyst for change.It turns out, a Nov. 9 loss to the Sharks may be just the thing the Oilers needed, writes @PierreLeBrun.
It forced a coaching change. It hardened Edmonton. The team hasn't looked back.
And Connor McDavid and Ken Holland agree ⤵️
It forced a coaching change. It hardened Edmonton. The team hasn't looked back.
And Connor McDavid and Ken Holland agree ⤵️
According to McDavid, the loss was "the lowest point of his career." The following day, the team held a crucial meeting where they decided to overhaul their mindset and attitude.
«That was a low point, I would say even in my career, it felt like. We had a meeting the next day (after the loss in San Jose) and the meeting was, 'There's nowhere else to go. We're last.' That was a tough realization, you know? But at the end of the day, it was a meeting that let guys let some things go that we were holding onto. This need, to have a great year and whatever, all of a sudden it just shifted to, 'Let's get ourselves back in it.»
The immediate impact of that meeting was evident, as the Oilers clinched a win in their next game against the Seattle Kraken.
Interestingly, it was also after this victory that the team made a significant coaching change, parting ways with Jay Woodcroft and bringing in Kris Knoblauch. Under Knoblauch's leadership, the Oilers surged, crafting one of the best records in the league from that point on.
Now, after a commanding first-round win against the LA Kings, the Oilers are gearing up to maintain their momentum against the Canucks.
Source: Houseofhockey
Connor McDavid reveals season-changing moment for Oilers this season
Connor McDavid reveals season-changing moment for Oilers this season
| POLL | ||
MAI 4 | 190 ANSWERS McDavid reveals the lowest point of his career and sparked the changes Do you think the Edmonton Oilers will go all the way and win the Stanley Cup? | ||
| Yes | 66 | 34.7 % |
| No | 124 | 65.3 % |
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