Connor Brown has already matched his playoff totals from last year's Edmonton Oilers run
Saying Connor Brown’s tenure with the Edmonton Oilers has been tumultuous would be one of the biggest understatements of all time.
There was plenty of excitement amongst fans when the Oilers signed him to a one-year deal heading into the 2023-24 season, though it did come with some risk. The now 31-year-old played just four games the season prior due to a torn ACL.
Missing that much time proved to be detrimental to Brown, who didn’t find the back of the net through his first 54 games of the 2023-24 campaign. To his credit, however, he was more than adequate on his own end of the ice and on the penalty kill and stepped up in the playoffs with two goals and six points in 19 outings.
Brown was much better in 2024-25, scoring 13 goals and 30 points through 82 games. It’s been in the playoffs, however, that he’s really stepped up and become a highly impactful player for this Oilers team. Through seven playoff games, Brown is up to four goals, which is tied for first amongst Oilers skaters along with Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard. He’s been able to do so despite seeing no time on the power play and averaging less than 15 minutes per game in ice time.
Brown was excellent in the Oilers’ first-round series against the LA Kings, scoring two goals in a massive Game 3 win to help his team avoid what would have been a 3-0 series deficit. Shortly after, he managed a goal and two helpers in Game 6 to help the Oilers advance to the second round.
“We got offence from all over the lineup today, it was great,” McDavid said after the series-clinching win. “You need different guys stepping up. I thought [Brown] had his best game as an Oiler; he was fantastic.”
Going into their second-round series versus the Golden Knights, it was well discussed that if the Oilers were to come out on top, they would need their depth players to continue making a difference. Brown was able to do just that last night.
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 was able to score an absolute highlight-reel goal to give the Oilers a two-goal lead late in the third period. The goal was extremely impressive, even more so by the fact that he was able to dance around a very good defenceman in Shea Theodore.
“He’s awesome. I think you’re seeing a very confident Brownie,” Zach Hyman said after Tuesday’s win. “He’s making plays with the puck when he has it. In the playoffs, a lot of guys tend to tense up and tend to rush a play or force something. Brownie’s a guy who’s been here; he can not only play his game, but elevate his game. He’s got a strong, strong sense of self-belief. I’ve known Brownie for a long time. He’s a heckuva player.”
Game 2 versus the Golden Knights will be on Thursday night. The Oilers hope to get more of the same from the red-hot Brown.