Naturally, getting contact on players like McDavid and Leon Draisaitl is no small task. They're immensely talented offensive drivers, who not only have the skill to beat players one-on-one, but the vision to open up lanes for their teammates.
That's why it's imperative for the defencemen to maintain a tight gap, have support from the forwards, and always have numbers above the puck.
And if you can add a physical dimension? Great!
Nesterov has taken that all to heart.
"We're challenging them to be harder to play against," Huska said. "With that increase in ice time, he wants to make an impression, to show that he deserves to be in that spot all the time. Darryl challenged some of the guys on the backend a little while ago that we need a little bit more from them and somebody has to step up and grab a spot that's left by Noah's injury.
"I really think he's trying to take advantage of that."
Later in the game Thursday, Nesterov made a goal-saving shot block on Draisaitl, who posted up at the right circle and had an open net to shoot for on the one-timer, but No. 89 courageously stepped into the lane and took the sniper's high-speed offering up near the neck.
That prompted quite the reaction from Jacob Markstrom, which unfortunately we can't repeat, after seeing his teammate put it all the line.
It's early, but if the Flames are going to survive the loss one of their best blueliners, they need someone to dial it up a notch.
And right now, Nesterov is doing everything in his power to be that guy.
"Deep down, he probably feels that, 'Hey, I can do a little bit more of these situations to earn some more ice time,'" Huska said.
"The first couple games that he's played have been good ones.
"Now, I think his biggest test will come tomorrow night."