They say familiarity breeds contempt... or something like that. Whether you're playing against the Vegas Golden Knights or facing Team USA in the 4 Nations Face-Off, there are some things you can't escape. In turn, it's supposed to build feelings of hatred and discontent among that same person or thing you've seen.
In this case, it's indifference. Jack Eichel and Connor McDavid don't seem to hate each other. That's despite seeing each other countless times in the NHL and during All-Star-type festivities. Don't forget the swath of Canadians booing the "Star-Spangled Banner" because of political reasons. They just compete against each other. Boy, what interesting times we are living in!
But let's go back to the Eichel-McDavid rivalry for a second. It has brewed into something special. The whole thing started as a minor duel between two incredible players from the 2015 NHL Draft.
"Who would be the NHL's marquee player?"
"Will we see the Buffalo Sabres and Edmonton Oilers return to prominence?"
Well, dear reader. Only one of those franchises got to that point, getting within a game of winning last season's Stanley Cup. If you guessed the Sabres, well... you're dead-wrong. They eventually traded the second overall pick from that draft to the Golden Knights, where he clashes in epic battles with the first overall pick in 2015.
Why is nobody talking about this friendly rivalry between Jack Eichel and Connor McDavid?
It's Saturday, February 15, 2024. A majority of Americans are tuned in to see their beloved Team USA take on those Canadians from the north. In fact, 4.4 million Americans watched to see their team win. After all, a spot in the 4 Nations Face-Off championship is on the line. Win in regulation and you're in. Simple as that.
The venue? Bell Centre in Montreal, where the natives are already booing the "Star-Spangled Banner." Again, there's a bigger story behind the motives. But the Americans aren't thinking about it too much. Tonight, it's Canada versus the United States. Connor McDavid vs. Jack Eichel. Nickelback vs. Lynard Skynard. Who will win?
First, there were three big brawls in nine seconds, started by the Tkachuk brothers. Much like their father, Keith Tkachuk, fighting the villainous Claude Lemieux from nearly two decades prior. But it was McDavid getting the festivities started by blazing down the ice and burying a goal past Connor Hellebuyck. 1-0. No big deal. It's only the first period.
Then the Americans storm back and score three unanswered goals. Of course, Eichel assisted on one of those: The first-period equalizer from Jake Guentzel. Cue up Lynard Skynard since it's the superior band (sorry, Nickelback. Free Bird is for more than middle-aged suburban soccer moms). The good ol' U.S.A. wins in epic fashion.
Recent chapters have seen the Vegas Golden Knights superstar get the best of the Oilers' face. One can point to the 2023 second-round matchup between these two centers, where Vegas won, 4-2. But there's a chance the two could face off again in the championship round. You can expect to see as many fireworks between the two as the Fourth of July.