Connor McDavid wasn’t happy with Tom Wilson when the two last played each other in the NHL, but now that they’re on the same Olympic team, the Oilers superstar has a newfound appreciation for the Capitals winger.
In Canada’s first game of Group Stage play, McDavid formed a line with rookie sensation Macklin Celebrini and Wilson. He was blown away by their talent.
“Unreal, unreal,” McDavid said to the NHL per Jason Demers. “Both of them were amazing. Willie’s just a forechecking god. So hard on guys. Created so much space out there. It was fun. And Mack was really impressive. Just kept so many plays alive. He’s dangerous. He’s a great player.”
The trio made their presence felt on their first shift as McDavid, not Wilson, threw a huge hit in the corner. Nearing the period’s end, the line also scored the first goal of the game with 15 seconds remaining before the buzzer. Celebrini deftly deflected a Cale Makar shot. McDavid got the secondary assist on what would end up being the game-winning goal.
McDavid would put up a game-high 3 points, all assists, in Canada’s 5-0 victory over Czechia.
Canada head coach Jon Cooper paired McDavid with Wilson, believing that the power forward would give the playmaking centerman much more time and space to operate.
“Everybody needs an F1 right? That big boy there is one of the best I’ve seen,” Cooper said of Wilson after the team’s first practice. He added, “[S]ome guys are forecheckers. Some guys aren’t. Some guys are puck-possession guys. And when you find that right mix…”
There are other benefits, too, according to the bench boss.
“Just in case a fight breaks out, he’s protected,” Cooper joked.
For the record, fighting is not allowed in Olympic play.