Oilers’ Connor McDavid breaks 2-decade drought amid Game 7 loss

The Florida Panthers are the new Stanley Cup champions, but none of their players were deemed playoff MVP. Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid won the Conn Smythe as playoff MVP. And McDavid certainly earned the nod. He broke Wayne Gretzky’s postseason assist record and became the third player to surpass 40 points in a single postseason. McDavid added another measure of NHL history through winning the Conn Smythe Trophy on Monday.

McDavid is the sixth player to win the Conn Smythe but not the Cup, according to Sportsnet Stats. Additionally, he is the first to achieve this feat since Jean-Sebastien Giguere in 2003. Lastly, the Oilers star is the second non-goaltender to achieve this feat. The last non-goalie to win the Conn Smythe and not the Cup was Reggie Leach in 1976.

McDavid certainly willed the Oilers through the Stanley Cup Playoffs. In the Stanley Cup Final, he helped Edmonton avoid a sweep while nearly pulling off a reverse sweep. Overall, he scored 11 points through the Final, including eight points combined in Games 4 and 5.

Connor McDavid, Oilers fall in Game 7

McDavid was held without a shot in Game 6 against the Panthers. However, the Oilers finally saw their depth players step up to force Game 7. That said, the Oilers needed their captain to get back on track on Monday night. Unfortunately, McDavid failed to rise to the occasion.

The Panthers struck first in Game 7 thanks to a goal from Carter Verhaeghe. Florida’s veteran directed Evan Rodrigues’s shot into the net for his first goal since Game 1. Florida took a massive 1-0 lead, but this lead did not last too long. Later in the period, Mattias Janmark found the back of the net thanks to a beautiful outlet pass from Cody Ceci.

The Oilers and Panthers remained tied through the first period. In the second, though, Florida broke through with a decisive goal. Sam Reinhart, who is an unrestricted free agent in six days, sniped it past Stuart Skinner to give his team the lead.

Edmonton continued to pressure the Panthers defense through the third period. The Oilers had numerous opportunities to tie the game, but Florida remained firm defensively. One notable defensive play came from Gustav Forsling. His stickwork against Connor McDavid prevented a clear scoring chance late in the third.

Eventually, the Oilers had no choice but to pull the goalie. Florida tried to score on the empty net, but ultimately failed. In the end, it did not matter. The Panthers outlasted the Edmonton attack and celebrated as Stanley Cup champions once the game went final.

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