For the second consecutive season, Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers came agonizingly close to capturing the Stanley Cup, ultimately losing to the Florida Panthers. Following two demanding playoff runs that didn`t result in a championship, McDavid expressed frustration and a lack of easy explanations.
Despite potential criticism of his performance in the Final, McDavid has delivered two outstanding playoff performances for the Oilers. His 33 points this postseason matched teammate Leon Draisaitl for the league lead, surpassing the next highest scorer, Sam Reinhart, by 10 points.
The Oilers` finish to the series was perhaps the most disheartening aspect. In crucial games 5 and 6 – one with a chance to take the lead and another to force a deciding Game 7 at home – they struggled significantly. Edmonton was outscored 10-3 in the last two contests as the Panthers` defense effectively neutralized McDavid and the team`s offense.
As the series progressed, Florida`s defensive play and forecheck progressively stifled Edmonton`s offense, shift by shift. McDavid voiced his frustration over the Oilers` difficulty adapting to the Panthers` strategy.
`Obviously, their forecheck was great,` McDavid said. `They tilted the rink. They were able to kind of stay on top of us all over the place. Never really able to generate any momentum up the ice. Kept trying the same things over and over again, banging our heads against the wall. Credit to them. They played well.`
Another key advantage for the Panthers, which became increasingly evident throughout the series, was their team depth. Florida consistently deployed three effective lines that contributed in all areas of the game. Edmonton, conversely, relied heavily on its top players and became even more top-heavy after losing Zach Hyman earlier in the playoffs.
`They have great players,` McDavid said. `How many guys had 20-plus points in the postseason? They`re as deep as it comes.`
Responding to McDavid`s implied question, six players on the Panthers roster achieved 20 or more points during the playoffs. Eetu Luostarinen (19 points) and Anton Lundell (18 points) were also close to reaching that mark.
In contrast, Edmonton had only four players reach the 20-point mark. The next highest scorer was veteran Corey Perry at 40 years old with 14 points. This lack of scoring depth meant the Oilers struggled to match the Panthers` contributions from their entire lineup over the course of the demanding series.
McDavid also conveyed to reporters his `lot of confidence and belief` in the team`s future prospects. However, reflecting immediately after the second consecutive disappointing Stanley Cup Final defeat, what message could McDavid offer his teammates?
`Nothing to say, really,` McDavid said. `Everyone`s disappointed.`
Elton Marrow 
Torin Vale