What Happened
The Toronto Maple Leafs play the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night at 7 p.m. ET, with Connor McDavid entering on a run of 13 points in his past three games and 31 points in 10 games this season. Toronto is coming off a 6-3 win over Colorado earlier this month, a game in which Nathan MacKinnon scored twice. Auston Matthews said the plan against elite players is to limit their time and space.
Key Details
- McDavid has 13 points in his past three games and 31 through 10 games this season.
- The six-time Art Ross winner is on pace for 250 points, per Sportsnet.
- Toronto beat Colorado 6-3 earlier this month despite two goals from MacKinnon.
- Jack Roslovic played for Edmonton last season, including on McDavid's wing.
- Matthews called McDavid the standard since he entered the league.
- Puck drop is 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
What It Means
The game matches Toronto's defense against the league's most productive scorer early this season. McDavid's 31 points in 10 games have driven Edmonton's attack, and Toronto's 6-3 win over Colorado showed it can win while allowing an elite center to score. Matthews framed the task as reducing time and space rather than shutting such players down completely.
What's Next
Toronto practiced Friday before traveling to Edmonton. The result will show whether the MacKinnon approach carries over against McDavid.