McDavid remains the centerpiece of not just Edmonton but the NHL. He’s won the Art Ross Trophy as the scoring leader five times and the Hart Trophy as the regular-season’s most valuable player three times. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the postseason’s top player last year despite losing the Cup.

When the Oilers put their top stars together midway through Game 1, it tilted the ice. But it's not as simple as sticking with what works.