Connor McDavid says Oilers ‘ready’ for Ducks challenge in NHL playoffs

The Edmonton Oilers enter the 2026 NHL playoffs with belief and experience, as captain Connor McDavid stressed that his group is ready ahead of Game 1 against the Anaheim Ducks. The game is scheduled on Monday, April 20, at Rogers Place in Edmonton, with home ice advantage for the group.

Speaking on Sunday, McDavid said the group feels no different from past playoff squads. He pointed to confidence built over multiple deep runs, while still respecting the challenge ahead.

“To be honest, I felt good about each and every group we go in [playoffs] with,” McDavid said about his current group in comparison to the past. “Honestly, this group is no different. Really feels like it’s anybody’s year.

“But with that being said, we got a big challenge in front of us. We got a really good young, skilled, exciting Ducks team coming in that we got to play hard, we got to be ready for, and we will be.”

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Experience remains the advantage for Edmonton. The team has reached back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals in 2024 and 2025 but fell short both times. McDavid believes those runs shaped the group’s mindset entering another postseason. He said knowing what to expect helps players handle big moments better.

“I would say just knowing what to expect,” McDavid said about heading into the playoffs as a 29-year-old. “Knowing what it’s going to feel like, the environment, the game, the pressures, the momentum swings.

“Playoffs is really a different game. It really is. You have to understand all of that. This group understands that. We’ve been through plenty of runs and played in plenty of big games, and tomorrow’s no different. It’s a big game, game one at home. Great opportunity to get off to a good start.”

Game 1 presents a clash of styles. Edmonton brings playoff-tested structure, while Anaheim arrives with youthful energy. The Ducks return to the postseason for the first time since 2018, led by rising stars and an attacking approach.

Connor McDavid’s standout season and the Oilers’ vulnerability

The Oilers captain knows that his team must match the Ducks’ intensity from the start. Playoff hockey demands awareness of pressure swings and momentum, something Edmonton understands well.