EDMONTON, AB - With so many boxes to check both on and off the ice during the summer months, faceoff practice doesn't tend to be high on the list.
The biggest improvements for centres in the battle at the dot, often a feel-out process between the two centres learning how each other will approach it, come through repetition and real in-game matchups.
"It's hard to work on faceoffs in the summer," Oilers captain Connor McDavid said Monday afternoon. "Guys aren't really wanting to sit there and drop pucks and go head-to-head all summer long, so it's kind of just experience, getting stronger, and taking the reps."
Next to his 11 points (4G, 7A) and 1.8 points-per-game ratio in six games, along with his role as captain and an offensive leader for the Oilers, McDavid has made improvements in the circle so far this 2018-19 NHL season, winning 51.4 percent of draws - a season-by-season improvement from last campaign by 10 percentage points.
BLOG: McDavid's faceoffs improving
Along with his early offensive outburst this season, Oilers centre Connor McDavid has made incremental gains in the circle with a win rate of 51.4 percent
