Canucks' Rick Tocchet speaks out on J.T. Miller vs. Connor McDavid showdown ahead of Game 7

The Edmonton Oilers forced Game 7 by securing a sensational 5-1 victory against the Canucks on Saturday. Ahead of their series-decider, Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet shared his candid thoughts on a possible J.T. Miller vs Connor McDavid showdown in Game 7.

Ahead of the game on Sunday, Rick Tocchet was asked if Miller might be the best person to counter Oilers superstar Connor McDavid. In response, Tocchet acknowledged that Miller thrives on challenges but clarified that the game was not just about Miller versus McDavid.

“Yeah, he [J.T. Miller] loves challenges, but it's not, you know, I get what you're saying, but it's not a JT against Connor thing,” Tocchet said (starting at 3:42 in the video below). “It's the Canucks against Edmonton. You know, Mills is not going to go out there and just be a one-man show and shut him down.”

He added that it was a team effort and pointed out that Miller alone couldn't shut down McDavid. Instead, the team's defensive system required Miller to be in specific positions while also relying on support from his teammates.

“We have certain things we do system-wise that, yeah, we need him to be in certain spots, but he needs our layers to help. And I think that's really what it comes down to. And I think the perfect example is Game 5. We just got to play that style with determination,” the coach added.

Tocchet also mentioned that in their best moments, like in Game 5, every player was eager to contribute, whether by supporting others or making decisive plays.

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Rick Tocchet opens up on coaching first Game 7

During the same interview, Rick Tocchet was asked about his approach to the Canucks Game 7, noting that while he had experience in such situations as both a player and an associate coach, this was his first as a head coach.

Tocchet stated that despite the high stakes of a Game 7, he believed in sticking to his usual coaching methods rather than attempting anything drastically different.

He said (at 6:31 in the video):

“Well, it's—you know, I can't change too much. I mean, just because it's Game 7, you don't change. I'm not a believer in that.”

“Even as a player, you know, you are who you are. Obviously, the stakes are high, I get all that stuff, but I can't all of a sudden try to coach differently, like I'm going to do something out of this world. I got to coach who I am.”

Tocchet then acknowledged the importance of remaining alert, focused, and clear-headed throughout the game, but he maintained that fundamentally, he would not change his approach simply because it was a Game 7.

“But also, you know, it's like anybody, you got to be on your toes. You got to be really clear, you know, focused and think clearly as the game goes on.”

The Canucks will host the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Arena for the series-deciding game on Monday.