It’s done, the Panthers have won the Stanley Cup. Despite Connor McDavid’s best hopes, the Oilers were unable to bring the Stanley Cup back to Canada for the first time in 31 years.
Of course, his work has been recognized: he won the Conn Smythe Trophy. But that’s not enough. McDavid deserved to win the Stanley Cup.
A performance for the ages.
With an incredible 42 points in 25 #StanleyCup Playoffs games, Connor McDavid is your Conn Smythe Trophy winner. pic.twitter.com/P3qw9Pv7bE
– NHL (@NHL) June 25, 2024
McDavid didn’t care about the trophy. He didn’t even return to the ice to collect it as the sixth player in history to win it in a losing cause. He acted like someone who thinks he didn’t do enough to help his team.
CONNOR MCDAVID IS YOUR CONN SMYTHE WINNER pic.twitter.com/lcZCBmL5IH
– Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) June 25, 2024
However, the opposite was true. Even though he didn’t collect a point in games six and seven, McDavid was at every opportunity, tiring the Panthers’ players, creating dangerous scoring opportunities and giving his team a chance to win.
Strange to say, McDavid was the only Oilers player who deserved that Stanley Cup. Leon Draisaitl didn’t play like a winner in the final. Nor did Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Evan Bouchard and company.
The three victorious games were all McDavid’s doing. Four points in each of games four and five was simply incredible. The Oilers captain gave his heart and soul to get his hands on the trophy and silence his detractors.
However, we’ll have to wait a little longer to see the best player of his generation confirm his reign with a Stanley Cup.
But since he hasn’t won the top honors, McDavid will still be laughed at by many detractors who will accuse him of being a player who lacks leadership and isn’t capable of guiding a team to the end.
What’s even crazier is that McDavid didn’t talk about his own performance during the post-game interviews. He kept to his role as captain in fine style, congratulating his teammates and talking about the good job his team has done this season.
Connor McDavid after the Game 7 loss in the Stanley Cup Final. pic.twitter.com/r1CXZFTI1f
– SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 25, 2024
Replace McDavid with any other player in the NHL, be it Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon or Nikita Kucherov, and I don’t think the Oilers would have made it past the second round against the Canucks.
In Draisaitl’s eyes, McDavid is the best player ever to set foot on an NHL ice rink.
Overtime
– A dynasty in the AHL.
MATTHEW STROME OVERTIME HERO
The Hershey Bears have won BACK-TO-BACK Calder Cups!
(: @MonSportsNet)pic.twitter.com/0uij8bsFMF
– BarDown (@BarDown) June 25, 2024
– A great story.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson:
– drafted to Phoenix, spent 11 years as a Coyote with only 2 playoff appearances
– traded to Vancouver, becomes big disappointment
– bought out
– signs in Florida for cheap
– Wins Stanley Cup in first seasonSometimes, you just need to find the fit. pic.twitter.com/DTFbAntb3l
– Big Head Hockey (@BigHeadHcky) June 25, 2024