It's the wins that matter most.
The Edmonton Oilers will host the Anaheim Ducks for Game 3 on Sunday after building a 2-0 series lead on the road, victories in which superstar center Connor McDavid was limited to a single assist.
As far as head coach Todd McLellan is concerned, McDavid is doing all the little, less glamorous things that help teams win in the playoffs.
"He's the leader of the team that has two wins," McLellan said, per Marc Ciampa of the team's website. "He's drawn numerous penalties throughout the series and we've only played two games. He has taxed the other team's checking forwards and put their D under stress. He's opened up ice for his teammates.
"His will to fight through it rubs off on our group throughout the lineup. I think he's doing a very good job of dealing with playoffs, dealing with checking. ... He's adapting to it. He's adjusting to it. He's figuring out ways."
In eight postseason games, McDavid has recorded two goals and three assists, with four of the five points coming either on the power play or shorthanded.
That the Oilers are winning despite the dip in McDavid's numbers is a testament to their depth, and fair warning to Anaheim and potential future opponents to be wary of a breakout.
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