Connor McDavid has already taken center stage in the 2026 NHL playoffs, and league voices see him as the player to watch.
The Edmonton Oilers captain swept a backstage poll by the NHL on TNT crew as the most important player in the postseason. Analysts made a clear call, placing him ahead of every contender.
Anson Carter called him ‘McJesus’ and stressed that Edmonton’s success depends on his output.
MORE: ESPN shares NHL star rankings with surprising Connor McDavid landing spot
“It’s gotta be McJesus,” Carter said. “Three straight Stanley Cup finals. Because Edmonton don’t go anywhere if McDavid doesn’t put up McDavid-like numbers.”
Henrik Lundqvist echoed the same view without hesitation, and host Liam McHugh summed it up by calling McDavid the best player in the world.
“So let’s just make it easy, Connor McDavid,” Lundqvist said. “He is the best player on the planet. They will need Connor McDavid to go McJesus mode, and he has the capability of doing that.”
McDavid’s regular-season form explains the hype around him. He finished with 138 points (48 goals and 90 assists), claiming his sixth Art Ross Trophy. His numbers showed both consistency and dominance across all areas of play. He contributed to nearly half of Edmonton’s goals, highlighting his influence on every shift, and had a point in each of the 41 wins.
His playoff record adds more weight to the argument. McDavid led the Oilers to back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances in 2024 and 2025. He even won the Conn Smythe Trophy in a losing effort, showing his individual impact. Few players control games with the same speed and vision.
So, the message conveys that if McDavid delivers, the Oilers can chase the Stanley Cup.
However, we saw the Oilers’ depth working flawlessly in Game 1 against the Anaheim Ducks on April 20. Edmonton secured a 4-3 win to take a 1-0 series lead in the first round.
Kasperi Kapanen scored the late winner (his second of the night) with under two minutes left. Jason Dickinson also added two goals in a strong team effort.
MORE: Oilers’ hero reveals how Ducks stopped Connor McDavid but paid the price
The playoff race now shifts from debate to performance. With Edmonton leading the series, expectations remain high for McDavid to deliver again. If he hits top form, the Oilers could finally finish the job this season.