Something crucial keeps happening when Connor McDavid faces Pittsburgh

This matchup always feels like a measuring stick, because Pittsburgh still plays with that pride, even when the legs look heavier. Edmonton fans know the best response is pace from the opening shift.

McDavid is rolling again this season with 30-53-83 in 49 games.

When he gets space through the neutral zone, Pittsburgh's blue line gets forced to turn, and that is when the danger starts. One clean entry, and the whole rink leans forward.

The scary part is how calm he looks doing it, head up, hands quiet, feet buzzing. That calm usually drags defenders into bad sticks and worse angles.

Here's the post that sparked the chatter.

Even if the Penguins try to stack bodies, the Oilers can still win this with puck support. Zach Hyman living around the crease and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins arriving late can make that coverage crumble.

McDavid's last five show the engine is hot, he has points in four of them.

The fanbase vibe is simple, if Edmonton skates first, Pittsburgh can't keep up for 60.

The other key is discipline, because games against the Penguins can get chippy fast. If Edmonton keeps it five on five, the ice opens up.

Watch the first ten minutes, that's where McDavid usually tests the gaps and starts pulling defenders out of their comfort. Once that happens, Evan Bouchard has more clean looks up top.

If the Penguins sit back, Edmonton has to resist the low percentage cross ice stuff. Quick touches, fast reloads, and make Pittsburgh chase.

This is the kind of night where one McDavid burst can flip the whole script. Then it turns into an Oilers track meet, and that's the fun version.