Matthews Tkachuk pours salt on Connor McDavid's Team Canada wound
Photo credit: James Lang-Imagn Images
The Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk poured salt on Connor McDavid's wound after Team USA's win over Team Canada during the Olympic Games.
The Florida Panthers have certainly had McDavid's number over the past few years, and it seems that dominance has now transitioned to the international stage.
Connor McDavid has suffered the sting of losing to Tkachuk in the Stanley Cup Finals twice over the last two years, but this recent defeat in Milano hit differently.
The gold medal game saw a familiar script play out: Tkachuk and Team USA holding the upper hand while Canada's captain was left looking for answers.
During a post-tournament interview on the Wingmen podcast, Tkachuk added fuel to the fire while discussing a massive save by Connor Hellebuyck.
Tkachuk pours salt on McDavid's Olympic wound
Despite the praise, Tkachuk was quick to point out the moment the "Canadian hero" failed to deliver when his country needed him most.
"The best player in the world is Connor McDavid. Top to bottom, there's nobody like him. There's probably never been anybody like him in history.
It was kind of like it could've been a changing of the guard in Canada, with Crosby being out and him coming down on the breakaway."
It was kind of like it could've been a changing of the guard in Canada, with Crosby being out and him coming down on the breakaway."
The tension was palpable as the Oilers star broke loose, but Connor Hellebuyck refused to blink in the high-stakes showdown.
"If he scores that goal, he's the Canadian hero who gets them back in it, and they ultimately have a good chance at that point.
He comes down, and Helly just outwaits him, confident, calm, just chill in the crease, and makes an incredible breakaway save that gave us so much mental momentum."
He comes down, and Helly just outwaits him, confident, calm, just chill in the crease, and makes an incredible breakaway save that gave us so much mental momentum."
The missed opportunity proved to be the turning point for a Canadian squad that looked uncharacteristically vulnerable without Sidney Crosby in the lineup.
Tkachuk didn't hesitate to highlight the psychological blow of seeing the world's most dangerous scorer get shut down on a clean look.
With another major trophy slipping through his fingers at the hands of Tkachuk, the narrative of McDavid being, alongside Leon Draisaitl, "the bridesmaid" continues to grow.
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FEVRIER 28|123 ANSWERS Matthews Tkachuk pours salt on Connor McDavid's Team Canada wound Do you think Connor McDavid will win a Stanley Cup with the Edmonton Oilers? | ||
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