Connor McDavid leaning on recent must-win experience ahead of 4 Nation final

Just hours before the 4 Nations Face-Off final between Team Canada and Team USA, Canada forward Connor McDavid spoke with reporters about Thursday’s championship game, the level of competition he’s seen and finally having the opportunity to compete against the best players in the world on the international stage.

“We’re really excited about it,” McDavid said during a media availability on Wednesday. “I’s a great opportunity for our group to make our country proud.

“A lot’s been said about the 10 years or so (with no best-on-best international hockey),” McDavid added. “But we’re just excited to play. Playing in a great building in a hostile environment, we’re excited about it.”

McDavid was then asked if the circumstances surrounding Thursday’s winner-take-all event remind him of last spring’s Stanley Cup Final, where his Edmonton Oilers took on the Florida Panthers in Game 7. The Panthers defeated McDavid and the Oilers 2-1.

“I do see the similarities (to other big games),” McDavid said. “We just played in a Game 7 on Monday. That was a winner-go-home situation, and we found a way to get it done. So I think the group already having been in a situation like that will make us better for it.”

McDavid, who has two goals and two assists for four points in three games during the 4 Nations tournament, says Canada has the type of players who are ready to play in an environment like Boston’s TD Garden.

“Our group is a room full of leaders and veteran guys that have played in hostile environments,” McDavid said. “That being said, it’s our job to settle the building down.”

The Oilers’ captain played for Canada twice at the World Championships in 2016 and 2018, scoring six goals and 20 assists for 26 points in 20 games. He helped them win gold in 2016.

This season with the Oilers, McDavid has 22 goals and 49 assists for 71 points in 49 games.