from Matt Porter of the Boston Globe,

Connor McDavid has been the best player on the planet for several years now, and the sports world doesn’t know a whole lot about him. Some great athletes shirk the spotlight. McDavid conducts interviews with the vigor of someone grouting their bathroom tile.

So it was quite refreshing to see him sprint, scream and shake his fists after ending the Battle of Alberta with a signature OT goal. After a lackluster postseason record with mediocre teams, he finally had a reason to celebrate — and he’s not done.

McDavid, after dragging the Oilers past the Kings in the first round and teaming with Leon Draisaitl to take down the Flames in five games, is the most compelling story line of these playoffs. Draisaitl has been fantastic, matching McDavid’s 7-19—26 stat line while skating the last series on an injured right ankle. They are the only two players to average more than 2 points per game (2.17 each) since Mario Lemieux (2.27 in 15 games) in 1992. Beyond that, we’re talking about Wayne Gretzky (2.00 in 1989, 2.26 in 1988, and so on).

continued plus more hockey topics

from Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe,