Connor McDavid’s speed, acceleration was the difference in Game 5

This might not be news to anybody, but Connor McDavid is really, really fast.

The Edmonton Oilers captain, and NHL Fastest Skater record holder, has always proven that his speed is a weapon, and he can turn it up to 11 when he needs to.

None was that more the case during Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers. Not only did McDavid post four points for the second straight game, helping the Oilers stave off elimination once again, but he truly was the difference maker, further building his cause to be named Conn Smythe Trophy winner at playoff MVP.

In the second period on Tuesday night, McDavid orchestrated a highlight-reel goal. After collecting the puck in his own zone, he streaked through the neutral zone, dancing by the Panthers’ penalty kill, and setting up Corey Perry for an easy tap-in.

CONNOR MCDAVID ARE YOU SERIOUS?! 😮‍💨 #StanleyCup

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🇨🇦: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1 pic.twitter.com/GYJuOMuDPk

— NHL (@NHL) June 19, 2024

It is plays like that which proves McDavid’s skills, especially at high speed, are unstoppable.

On Wednesday’s edition of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Tyler Yaremchuk and former NHLer Colby Cohen explain why McDavid’s speed makes him even more dangerous.

Colby Cohen: It’s always what we start with, his speed is electrifying. What I really leaned on in his performance yesterday is not necessarily his speed, but it’s his acceleration. When you watch the clip of “The Goal”…you watch how he comes through the neutral zone. As he comes over the red line, he’s still not moving at a high speed. He’s probably going about 50%, he’s probably taking some strides, but he hasn’t hit the jets. He gets two feet over the red line and he turns on the jets. When you’re able to change your speed like that in the neutral zone, at the level only really he can do…what that does is create a bigger gap.

Early in the series, he wasn’t doing that…the last seven periods of hockey you’re watching him weave in and out of the neutral zone, you’re watching the insane accelerations.

You can watch the full segment, and the entire episode here…