Preview/Lines #44: Quinn on How To Slow Down McDavid

The San Jose Sharks face a tall task to stop Connor McDavid tonight.

Reporter: It's Connor McDavid's birthday today.

Quinn: Oh great. That's awesome.

Reporter: He's on pace for 150 points this year…

DQ: Got any more good news for me? It's his birthday, he's on pace for 450 points.

SP: 150 points. That's the good news. Only 150.

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) January 13, 2023

The now 26-year-old McDavid comes into the game with a league-leading 79 points. When asked how the Sharks could possibly stop him, head coach David Quinn told reporters that he might be “undefendable.”

“There’s nothing this guy hasn’t done. I mean, when you combine his physical gifts with his burning desire [and] skill set, that’s why he’s such a unique player in this league,” Quinn said.

McDavid has continued to improve his game this season with an emphasis on goal scoring. He leads the league with 35 goals, career-high 44, so he is on pace to shatter that.

“You’ve got to always get in his way,” Quinn explained on how to attempt to slow McDavid. “To slow him down to a certain degree, you gotta have the puck more, be a lot more conscious of your decisions when you have it, and just get in his way. I mean, just try to throw him off his stride.”

Quinn went even more in-depth about what he wants to see from his team when McDavid doesn’t have the puck: “I’m not saying a man-to-man feel when he doesn’t have it, but if you’re around him and your team doesn’t have it, just get in his way and slow him down. Because once he gets in, [and] he’s going to top speed, it’s a frightening thing to watch.”

SAN JOSE SHARKS (13-22-8)

Nick Cicek is in for Scott Harrington, and Kaapo Kahkonen will draw the start for the Sharks.

Nick Cicek draws in for Scott Harrington. Kahkonen in net for the #SJSharks.

Missed the preview as they host the #LetsGoOilers?

Catch up here:
📺 https://t.co/zRR1vVHwaw
🎧 https://t.co/wmyWBQRX8U pic.twitter.com/0JWlxoO9xT

— Locked on Sharks (@LockedOnSharks) January 13, 2023

EDMONTON OILERS (22-18-3)

Here’s how the Oilers lined up in their last game against the Anaheim Ducks.

Oilers at Ducks w/@LouDeBrusk & @GenePrincipe on @Sportsnet

Holloway-McDavid-Yamamoto
McLeod-Draisaitl-Hyman
Kostin-RNH-Janmark
Foegele-Puljujarvi

Nurse-Ceci
Kulak-Barrie
Broberg-Bouchard
Desharnais (NHL rookie lap)

Campbell pic.twitter.com/wLmU578WYy

— Jack Michaels (@EdmontonJack) January 12, 2023

WHERE TO WATCH

The San Jose Sharks will take on the Edmonton Oilers at 7:30 PM PST at SAP Center. Watch it live on NBC Sports California. Listen to it on the Sharks Audio Network.