(DIR) Home
Canucks vs Oilers: J.T. Miller on matching up against Connor McDavid
(HTM) Source
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Breadcrumb Trail Links
1. Vancouver Canucks
2. Sports
3. Hockey
# Canucks vs. Oilers: J.T. Miller on matching up against Connor
McDavid: 'He's different than anybody'
Miller, who's expected to be matched up with McDavid in this playoff
series, added that, 'You can play what seems like a perfect shift and
all of the sudden he's gone'
Get the latest from Steve Ewen straight to your inbox Sign Up
Published May 06, 2024 • Last updated May 07, 2024 • 4 minute read
You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if
you have an account.
Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid checks Vancouver Canucks' J.T. Miller
during a game on Nov. 6, 2023. Photo by DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN
PRESS
## Article content
Edmonton Oilers centre Connor McDavid has received compliments galore
in his time in the NHL, but the ones Vancouver Canucks pivot J.T.
Miller offered up Sunday have to be among the best.
Advertisement 2
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues
below.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
* Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben
* Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one
* The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to
* Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.
* Support local journalism.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
* Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben
* Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one
* The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to
* Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.
* Support local journalism.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
* Access articles from across Canada with one account.
* Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
* Enjoy additional articles per month.
* Get email updates from your favourite authors.
## Sign In or Create an Account
or
Article content
"He's different than anybody. You can play what seems like a perfect
shift and all of the sudden he's gone," Miller said. "It's about
changing (lines) at the right time and making sure if he's going to do
something he has to go the whole length of the ice."
Article content
McDavid, who put up a league-best 12 points (1 goal, 11 assists) in a
five-game, first-round win over the Los Angeles Kings, leads the
Oilers up against the Canucks in the second round of the post-season
starting Wednesday at Rogers Arena.
Miller, 31, has routinely been matched up with McDavid, 27, when
Vancouver has played Edmonton in the past. The Canucks beat the
Nashville Predators in six games to advance.
McDavid's 32 goals and 132 points left him third in the league scoring
in the regular season. He had just one goal and three points in games
against the Canucks, but those meetings all came early in the campaign
before Edmonton found its groove. McDavid sat out Vancouver's visit to
Edmonton in April with a lower body injury.
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from
Postmedia Network Inc.
Thanks for signing up!
A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your
junk folder.
The next issue of Canucks Report will soon be in your inbox.
We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again
Advertisement 3
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues
below.
Article content
McDavid has 64 points, including 23 goals, in 40 career regular season
games vs Vancouver. That's the most points for the three-time Hart
Memorial Trophy winner against any one team in his nine-year career.
It's the second most games behind the 41 he's played against the
Calgary Flames. He has 29 goals and 57 points against them.
"You just have to limit him. He's going to get chances. You have to
try to keep him to the outside as much as possible," Miller continued.
Miller warned that you can get too focused on McDavid, too. He said it
was crucial that the Canucks concentrate on what they do well and
dictate the action rather than trying counter what Edmonton is doing.
J.T. Miller of the Vancouver Canucks is checked by Connor McDavid of
the Edmonton Oilers during a game on Nov. 6, 2023. Photo by Derek Cain
/Getty Images
"You can talk about playing defence and shutting down whoever you want
down, but when we play Canucks hockey we're in your face and play in
their end more than we play in our own," he explained. "We've proven
that when we focus on our game we can have results. We need to try to
keep it five-on-five and win your one-on-one battles. The message
doesn't really change."
Advertisement 4
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues
below.
Article content
The Oilers came into the year with all sorts of buzz as a Stanley Cup
contender. They lost 8-1 on opening night on Oct. 11 to the Canucks at
home, and then fell 4-3 in Vancouver three nights later. They dropped
a 6-2 decision on Nov. 6 to fall to 2-8-1. They fired coach Jay
Woodcroft six days later, replacing him with Kris Knoblauch. They were
3-9-1 under Woodcroft and 46-18-5 with Knoblauch at the helm.
Vancouver beat Edmonton 3-1 on April 13 minus McDavid.
"The playoffs are a whole other animal. You can use the Winnipeg and
Colorado thing," Miller said, pointing to how the Avalanche ousted the
Jets in five games in the first round after Winnipeg swept the three
regular season contests between the squads.
"I don't think it (the regular season vs Edmonton) means a whole lot.
They know what they need to do in the post-season and they've
obviously played really well to this point as well. Both teams are
hungry for their own reasons and it's a highly anticipated battle for
us."
Advertisement 5
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues
below.
Article content
Canucks coach Rick Tocchet also had the highest of praise for McDavid.
"The one thing I really respect about Connor — obviously he's a great
player, one of the best ever — is his work ethic," said Tocchet. "When
you see him on the ice a half-hour before practice working on his game
with a skills coach or if there's an optional he's on the ice or the
way he trains … it's like Sidney Crosby, the (Nathan) MacKinnons, the
(Cale) Makars. All those guys, they work their asses off. Connor
McDavid is obsessed to be better. That's why I respect those guys;
they're obsessed to be better."
SEwen@postmedia.com
@SteveEwen
* * *
### Here is the Canucks vs Oilers Round 2 playoff schedule:
• **Game 1:** Wednesday, May 8, 7 p.m., in Vancouver
• **Game 2:** Friday, May 10, 7 p.m., in Vancouver
• **Game 3:** Sunday, May 12, TBA, in Edmonton
• **Game 4** : Tuesday, May 14, TBA, in Edmonton
• **Game 5:** Thursday, May 16, TBA, in Vancouver*
• **Game 6:** Saturday, May 18, in Edmonton, TBA, in Edmonton*
• **Game 7:** Monday, May 20, TBA, in Vancouver*
_*If necessary_
* * *
_ **ROUND 2! SIGN UP TO GET YOUR FREE CANUCKS PLAYOFF POSTERS:** We
are proud to partner with the Vancouver Canucks to bring you this
year's edition of the longtime Province tradition, the Canucks Playoff
Poster series. CLICK HERE to get a new player poster emailed to you
every game day, plus all the posters from Round 1!_
Share this article in your social network
______________________________________________________________________
Served by Flask-Gopher/2.2.1