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Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid. Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports

Is this the biggest key to the Oilers winning the Stanley Cup?

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 10/18/23

Another night of NHL games has passed, and another game has concluded with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl finding the back of the net. The question still remains, however: When are we going to see these two score goals in a Stanley Cup Final? Or even better, in a Cup-winning game?

The three-time Hart Trophy winner and his score-savvy German teammate were reunited on the Edmonton Oilers' top line as the team tried to get its first win of the season. The result was a 6-1 victory against the Nashville Predators on Tuesday, as Draisaitl posted four points each (two goals, two assists) and McDavid scored a goal after being tripped up.

We've seen these scoring frenzies before, but when it comes to going the distance in the playoffs, Edmonton has continued to fall short during McDavid and Draisaitl's tenures on the top line.

The solution that will get the Oilers closer to the Cup with these two players?

Some experts are saying — and you've probably heard this before — that the duo needs to be divided down the stretch.

CONNOR MCDAVID!

What in the world?! #NHLFaceOff pic.twitter.com/OmV5JONXWK
— NHL (@NHL) October 18, 2023

"Playing them together will probably win you a division championship, maybe even a conference title during the regular season. Playing them on separate lines will win you a Stanley Cup," Oilers reporter Ryan Rishaug told TSN this week.

"That is the winning formula. 97 and 29 on separate lines, driving their own lines, creating havoc for four to six defensemen on the other team."

.@TSNRyanRishaug joins @Linz_Hamilton to discuss the importance of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl leading their own separate lines. pic.twitter.com/JVKhH0omH6
— JayOnSC (@JayOnSC) October 18, 2023

We know, this isn't the first time over the last several seasons that this argument has been brought up. Edmonton has more scoring depth than they did when McDavid first came into the league, so there should still be plenty of scoring throughout the forward arsenal to back both him and Draisaitl up if they are paired together. (Fellow forward Zach Hyman was one example of that on Tuesday night, as he as registered two goals and two assists in the win.)

But Rishaug has a point — separating the duo against tougher teams in the playoffs could help wear out opposing defenses.

And to be fair, head coach Jay Woodcroft has been a bit more flexible than his predecessors when it has come to playing McDavid and Draisailt separately.

The Athletic's Daniel Nugent-Bowman once called it "the ultimate break-glass-in-an-emergency situation," which is exactly what Woodcroft did for Tuesday's game to help get the Oilers their first win of the season.

So exactly how long is the duo going to stay together now? And if the Oilers make it to the playoffs for a fifth straight season, how often will we see them paired together?

Granted, these aren't the only two players on the team and there are plenty of things that need to go Edmonton's way for them to make it to the Final and win the Cup.

But if this really is the biggest key to the Oilers being Cup winners again, it's worth questioning.

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