Connor McDavid said he needed to be better after the Edmonton Oilers lost 1-0 to the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night at Rogers Place in Edmonton. The only goal of the game came early in the first period when Jonas Brodin scored for Minnesota. The Oilers pushed for the rest of the night but could not score, even with long stretches of pressure. Connor McDavid said the team played well enough to win but added that he passed up some chances he normally takes. Minnesota goalie Jesper Wallstedt stopped every shot and made the loss even tougher to accept.
Connor McDavid talks about missed looks and tough defensive layers
Connor McDavid said after the game that the Oilers did not create many clean chances in front of the net. He said Minnesota kept strong layers in place and made it hard to break through.
McDavid admitted he also made choices he wants back. “Yeah, maybe not the most grade A chances, but we threw pucks there. Had some looks, passed some away myself more than anybody,” he said on Tuesday.
He has talked all season about wanting to shoot more. He repeated that same message, saying he tries to set up teammates but sometimes needs to take shots himself.
“I stand on the backside, trying to get him the puck. But yeah, I can take those,” McDavid said. He also pointed out that giving up only one goal usually leads to wins. “Usually when you give up one, you’re going to win a lot of games. We didn’t,” he added.
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Jesper Wallstedt’s shutout and Edmonton’s push for momentum
Jesper Wallstedt stopped 33 shots for Minnesota and earned his fourth shutout of the season. Connor McDavid said the goalie “played well” and gave him credit for staying strong all night.
Minnesota closed the middle of the ice and forced the Oilers to take outside shots or fight for rebounds. Edmonton controlled the puck for most of the last two periods but still could not beat Wallstedt.
Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner made 23 saves and kept the game close after the early goal. Connor McDavid said the team had good signs in this game and in their weekend win in Seattle.
He said the group is moving in the right direction even if the result was frustrating. “I thought we played another pretty decent one here today. That’s a good sign,” he said. The Oilers return home on Wednesday to face the Seattle Kraken.
