Connor Brown bringing 'big-time fire' at right time for Oilers in NHL playoffs
LAS VEGAS Theres something about this time of year that brings out the best version of Connor Brown.
He sure feels that.
I grew up on championship teams my whole life, Brown said, referring to his minor hockey days with the Toronto Marlboros, which were coached by his dad, Dan.
This is what hockeys always been about.
Advertisement Ive always loved to compete and trying to win.
Theres something about letting it all out in the big moments and seeing where the chips fall.
Thats been evident yet again over the past couple of weeks.
Brown followed up what Connor McDavid thought was his best game as an Oiler in the Round 1 series clincher against the Los Angeles Kings with an effort that wasnt far off from that in a 4-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday .
Brownie is such a smart player, linemate Adam Henrique said.
He raises his game when everythings on the line.
His backcheck to break up a Golden Knights two-on-one in the first period after a Jake Walman giveaway was one of the more understated but important moments in the game.
The Oilers were already down 2-0 at that point.
They could have been in big trouble if Brown hadnt hustled back and lunged to get his stick on Tanner Pearsons pass to Victor Olofsson.
Corey Perry scored less than two minutes later to cut the deficit in half, a goal Kris Knoblauch believed changed the course of the game.
That might not have happened without Browns defensive work.
I feel that was a pretty big momentum swing, Brown said.
They put that one away; we would have been in tough (shape).
He capped his night with an amazing individual effort, picking up the puck in the Oilers zone and deking out highly regarded Golden Knights defenceman Shea Theodore before beating goalie Adin Hill.
That goal, with 1:46 left, sealed the victory.
My eyes lit up when I got that puck, Brown said.
I had my swords out, and I was on the attack mode and looking to sting them.
Connor Brown's fourth goal of these #StanleyCup Playoffs caps off a Game 1 win for the @EdmontonOilers ! #NHLStats : https://t.co/diFqic26NU pic.twitter.com/Vecfi8vNEq NHL (@NHL) May 7, 2025 Brown is up to four goals and 6 points in seven games.
Thats two more goals and the same number of points as he had in 19 playoff contests last year, when he became an integral part of the Oilers run to the Stanley Cup Final.
He relishes chipping in on the scoresheet.
Since being in Edmonton, its such a talented group that Ive been pushed down a little bit as far as offence, Brown said.
But Im an offensive guy.
I have a good brain to make plays in the offensive zone, so I just keep my eyes open and look for my opportunities.
Advertisement Getting to this point, however, has been a gradual process.
The first half of last season was a massive struggle for Brown.
He missed all but four games with the Washington Capitals after a torn ACL, but expectations were still high after signing with the Oilers as their only high-profile free agent.
He was supposed to come in and provide a top-six upgrade from what the departing Kailer Yamamoto had offered.
Instead, Brown had trouble keeping up.
He felt out of sorts.
His play was indicative of that.
He was quickly dropped down the lineup by former coach Jay Woodcroft and remained there when Kris Knoblauch, his former bench boss with the Ontario Hockey Leagues Erie Otters, arrived that November.
A month later, he was even a healthy scratch.
He didnt score his first goal until March 13 his 55th game that season and the Oilers 64th breaking a personal drought of 72 games and almost two years.
He can joke about it now, which he did after Game 3 last series to compliment Evander Kanes almost immediate scoring prowess upon return from a lengthy injury absence.
But theres no question the beginning of last season was excruciating.
Though Brown thought he was rounding into form late last season, it wasnt enough to crack the initial playoff lineup.
Knoblauch opted to go with Dylan Holloway, whod just been recalled from the minors.
Brown was scratched for the entire opening-round series against the Kings.
He only started playing in the second round because of an injury to Henrique, and he was even held out of Game 2 against the Vancouver Canucks during a short-lived attempt by Henrique to play through his ailment.
But once Brown became a mainstay, he became more impactful in every way as the playoffs progressed.
He was a penalty-killing ace, helping the Oilers to a 94.3 percent success rate during that run.
He became one of the teams spokesmen and was quick to stand up for defenceman Darnell Nurse in the wake of public criticism.
He formed an effective third line with Henrique and Mattias Janmark.
He scored a pivotal short-handed goal on a breakaway to open the scoring of Game 5 of the Cup Final after showing some great anticipation to pick off a pass at the defensive blue line.
Advertisement I love playing with him as a linemate, Henrique said.
He sees the ice so well.
He sees the game so well.
He loves breaking it to give us more success.
Brown said after the Final loss that his heart was in Edmonton.
It wasnt much of a surprise when he re-signed on a one-year contract as free agency opened.
Playing here, youre playing hockey for all the right reasons, Brown said.
Youre playing in front of a fan base that ties a lot of their identity around the club.
The best players that have ever played have come through here.
Youre playing with the best player in the world.
Youre playing on the biggest stage.
Its like hockey heaven here.
Its a great fit for me.
He was more reliable and consistent, and his 13-goal, 30-point output while appearing in all 82 games was more aligned with his career norms.
Youre seeing what he used to play like before the injury, Knoblauch said.
Again, Brown has taken his game to another level in the playoffs.
Only this time, Brown has hit the ground running right from the start.
Its no surprise that hes doing it again, Henrique said.
The 31-year-old started the postseason on the top line with McDavid and Zach Hyman.
He finished the regular season on a line with McDavid (when the captain was in the lineup) and, often, Jeff Skinner.
Hyman took Skinners spot there for Game 1 against the Kings after missing the last three games with an injury.
That didnt even last one game.
The Oilers got behind early against the Kings and needed to load up the top line to try to mount an offensive charge.
Browns been on the third line ever since, with Henrique at centre and either Kane or Trent Frederic at left wing.
Its been a perfect fit.
Youre seeing a really confident Brownie, Hyman said.
Hes making plays with the puck when he has it.
In the playoffs, a lot of guys, when the moment gets big, you tend to tense up and you tend to rush a play or force something.
Advertisement But Brownies a guy whos been here.
He can not only play his game but elevate his game.
Hes got a strong, strong sense of self-belief.
Ive known Brownie for a long, long time.
Hes a heck of a player.
Led by Browns contributions, the Oilers are getting more offensive punch from their bottom six than ever before in the McDavid and Leon Draisaitl era.
Of course, Brown brings more than that.
He was the best player on the ice when the Oilers closed out the Kings.
His Game 1 performance featured a couple of enormous plays, and its fair to suggest the Oilers might not have won without him.
Hes probably at the top of his game that Ive seen, Knoblauch said.
Hes in a really good spot right now.
Its the best of Connor Brown, all coming out at the right time, as per usual.
I definitely have a big-time fire, Brown said.
Sometimes in my career, its more about harnessing it and letting it all hang out.
Sometimes Ive cut it too far back, and it affects my game.
I have to play with that hunger and those eyes.
Thats me at my best.
I cant try to be something Im not.
(Photo of Connor Brown scoring in Game 1 vs.
the Golden Knights: Candice Ward / Getty Images).
This article has been shared from the original article on theathleticuk, here is the link to the original article.