Kadri steals spotlight in first ever NHL matchup between McDavid, Matthews
TORONTO — Nazem Kadri claimed to be unaware of the hype driving Tuesday’s matchup between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers, the first ever NHL meeting between Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews.
The Leafs top-line centre ultimately stole the spotlight from the young superstars. Not only did the 26-year-old Kadri help keep McDavid off the scoreboard entirely, but managed a pair of goals himself, including the overtime winner on a play that saw him elude the grasps of the Oilers captain.
“He can embarrass you when he gets time and space so I just tried to limit that from him and just stay on top of him as much as I could,” Kadri said after the 3-2 win.
“He’s a good player,” McDavid added of Kadri. “He played me hard. Good for him.”