Let's cut to the chase, folks—Connor McDavid is in an unusual spot. The Edmonton Oilers' captain, renowned for his electrifying speed and uncanny ability to find the back of the net, hasn't scored in his last 9 games. But if you think this is a sign of decline, you're not paying attention to the bigger picture. McDavid's goal drought is more a quirky anomaly than a testament to his current form. Here's why I'm all in on McDavid breaking his goalless streak with a bang in the upcoming clash against the St. Louis Blues. He hasn't scored at least 1 goal in a career-high 9 straight games!
First off, McDavid's assist game has been nothing short of spectacular during this so-called "slump." With 23 assists in the last 10 games, it's clear he's still dominating the ice—just not in the way we're most accustomed to. His vision and playmaking are second to none, setting up teammates left and right, including Zach Hyman, who's been on a tear thanks to McDavid's generosity. This level of playmaking genius only underlines McDavid's offensive prowess and hints at a player ready to explode goal-wise.
Analyzing McDavid's performance further, the stats paint a picture of a player who's been unlucky rather than out of form. Hitting goalposts and crossbars, McDavid has been on the cusp of scoring multiple times. His shooting percentages and the positions from which he's taking shots suggest that goals are imminent. It's not a question of if but when.
Moreover, McDavid's history against the Blues provides a curious insight. In their last meeting, even as the Oilers lost, McDavid racked up three assists. He's shown he can dismantle the Blues' defense, albeit not finding the net himself. With the Oilers looking to bounce back from a mixed bag of recent performances and St. Louis coming off a loss to the Jets, the stage is set for McDavid to take the spotlight.
The Oilers' superstar has a penchant for rising to the occasion when his team needs him the most. With Edmonton aiming to solidify their playoff positioning and McDavid no doubt eager to remind the league of his goal-scoring talents, the matchup against the Blues is ripe for a McDavid goal-fest. The Blues are ranked 25th in shots against per game.
Consider this: McDavid is averaging 0.39 goals this season, a dip from his usual standards but not an insurmountable barrier. His home goal average stands at a more impressive 0.48, and with the game against the Blues at Rogers Place, the home-ice advantage could be the catalyst McDavid needs.
In summary, McDavid's goal drought is an outlier in an otherwise stellar career. His playmaking remains elite, his chances are there, and his motivation to steer the Oilers back on a winning path is undeniable. Betting the over on McDavid goals isn't just a wager; it's an acknowledgment of one of the game's greats poised to remind us all of his scoring prowess. Tonight, against the St. Louis Blues, expect McDavid to turn the page on his goal drought in spectacular fashion.
My Selection: Connor McDavid to score at least 1 goal (-114)
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