Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid may not have been able to secure the Stanley Cup for his team in a tough Game 7 against the Florida Panthers, but he did walk away with the prestigious Conn Smythe Trophy for being the most valuable player in the playoffs. McDavid led all players in points with an impressive 42, which ranks as the fourth-best in NHL history. His 34 assists throughout the postseason set a new playoff record.
Despite the Oilers falling short in the Stanley Cup Final, McDavid’s exceptional performance did not go unnoticed. He became the sixth player, and the second non-goalie, from the losing team to win the Conn Smythe Trophy. McDavid also made history by being the first player ever to achieve back-to-back four-point games in Games 4 and 5 of the finals, helping the Oilers stage an impressive comeback from a 3-0 deficit.
Although McDavid was kept off the scoresheet in Games 6 and 7 by the Panthers’ defense, his impact throughout the playoffs was undeniable. The Panthers’ goalie, Sergei Bobrovsky, also put on a stellar performance, especially in Game 7, making crucial saves to secure the Stanley Cup victory for his team.
Bobrovsky’s solid goaltending throughout the playoffs, with an average of 2.38 goals against and a .903 save percentage, provided the Panthers with the confidence to play aggressively on offense. Despite Bobrovsky’s strong showing, McDavid’s exceptional play has positioned him as a frontrunner for the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league’s overall MVP this season.
While McDavid may have wished to lift the Stanley Cup, his remarkable efforts were rightfully acknowledged with the Conn Smythe Trophy. As he heads into the offseason, McDavid can take pride in his outstanding performance and look forward to potentially adding more accolades to his impressive resume.