Former Stanley Cup champion goes gaga over filthy Connor McDavid assist to Leon Draisaitl

Stanley Cup champion and former NHL defenseman Chris Pronger was blown away by Connor McDavid's dazzling setup to Leon Draisaitl in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Oilers and Panthers on Friday night.

With the game tied at 2-2 in the first period, McDavid pulled off a amazing play past Panthers center Aleksander Barkov and got past defenseman Aaron Ekblad. He then cut into the slot and fed a pinpoint pass in the right circle to Draisaitl, who ripped a one-timer into the top shelf to put the Oilers 3-2 ahead.

Chris Pronger, a Stanley Cup champ with the Ducks in 2007, raved about the play on X (formerly called Twitter):

"I do not think the casual hockey fan has any idea how incredibly difficult this was at warp speed. Not only to see Draisaitl as he is toe dragging Ekblad but to then put the puck in his wheelhouse to onetime it is why he is one of one. #Mcjesus #LetsGoOilers #stanleycup"

Despite McDavid's brilliance, the Oilers eventually lost 5-4 in double overtime as the series heads to Florida tied 1-1. Game 3 is on Monday night at FLA Live Arena.

"There's one player in the world that can make that (play)," Draisaitl said of his superstar teammate (per NHL.com).

Connor McDavid now has a postseason-leading 31 points, with 25 assists in 18 games.

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Wayne Gretzky's comments about Connor McDavid's assist

During the first intermission of Game 2, Wayne Gretzky praised Connor McDavid's brilliance.

On TNT Marvel, Gretzky marveled at McDavid's elite talent and vision to make the play at top speed. He highlighted McDavid's well-rounded game, from his skating and hands to his work ethic and unselfishness.

“We know he’s (McDavid) the best player in the game. He’s making every player around him even that much better now. And, that’s the sign of a true superstar and that’s why he’s the best player in the league,” Gretzky said.

“He’s unselfish. He works as hard as any player on the ice. … He wants to win so badly. He happens to have the best set of hands hockey has to offer right now.”

Gretzky effusive praise shows the reverence he has for McDavid's generational ability and drive to lift the Oilers to a championship.