![Connor McDavid]()
Was anyone cheering for the Florida Panthers tonight besides their incumbent fans, native Floridians, and those who attended Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final? Because damn. For the rest of us, that was more than a bit of a bummer. No offense, y'all.
https://twitter.com/FlaPanthers/status/1805434189728112701
https://twitter.com/FlaPanthers/status/1805434931541066135
Like yo Panthers, why drag this series out the full distance if you were just going to win the decider at home anyway? Why string us hockey purists along who want to see a historic rally from a 0-3 deficit and Connor McDavid ascend to another stratosphere among the all-time greats? Another reminder to myself that sports seldom turn out the way I hope. This one just stings a little more, though.
Monday's
prophecy of The Chosen One will have to pull a reverse Star Wars — or rather, a strictly chronological version of what happens in Star Wars? McDavid will have to bring peace, serenity, and a championship to Edmonton at some other time down the line.
https://twitter.com/cmcdavid97/status/349363142704377856
I'm sure the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP is of little consolation for the face of professional hockey at this time. If he was jealous of the Chicago Blackhawks winning it all back in 2013, can't imagine what he's going through right now.
https://twitter.com/NHL/status/1805437577601671228
https://twitter.com/ColbyDGuy/status/1805437838218895617
https://twitter.com/NickZararis/status/1805437891038085217
McDavid did his utmost to will his team back from the brink of a sweep to one win from Lord Stanley's Cup. However, he failed to log a single point in Games 6 and 7.
A golden opportunity on the doorstep for a third-period equalizer didn't quite go McJesus' way, which only adds insult to the injury of his toughest defeat ever.
https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1805430183219888228
Still have no clue how McDavid didn't get that shot off. I mean great defensive play and all, but that's one I'd expect him to finish.
For what some are calling a disappearing act — dude was
gassed and was on the ice as much as humanly possible in the last period, but I digress — he's catching what I'd consider some undue heat on X/Twitter.
https://twitter.com/BigHeadHcky/status/1805435270378274978
https://twitter.com/ProducerDrew_/status/1805430574045167718
https://twitter.com/ShaunMorash/status/1805435232000090596
https://twitter.com/Thomas_Carrieri/status/1805434362030174303
https://twitter.com/BetRivers/status/1805430050814411151
https://twitter.com/LeafsAllDayy/status/1805416892469068016
https://twitter.com/OTCellyy/status/1805434481903337738
https://twitter.com/SpecialPuppy1/status/1805434789081633048
https://twitter.com/BricksCenter/status/1805432975292776762
https://twitter.com/RealSkipBayless/status/1805436149265318215
https://twitter.com/JoshYohe_PGH/status/1805438128208929187
I really don't think this is any sort of legacy-killing game for McDavid. You'd like to have seen more of him, but whatever didn't show up on the stat sheet the past two times out, you have to bear in mind that he was grinding his face off on the defensive end. Due to his skill on offense, McDavid will never get credit for the huge strides he's made as a two-way player in the last few years in particular.
That certainly applied to this series. History will probably judge McDavid a little harsher than I am in the moment, and of course, speculation will persist about his future with the Oilers since his running mate Leon Draisaitl — who had just three points in seven Stanley Cup Final games, by the way — enters a contract year next season.
If the very end of Monday's thriller was anything to go by, McDavid doesn't strike me as someone who's eager to leave the only team he's ever known in the NHL.
https://twitter.com/BR_OpenIce/status/1805437041930641549
Pretty sure McDavid will want to run it back. They were one game away, so why not? The Panthers got tight for a few games. They are a worthy champion. Edmonton will be back. And now
Oilers Kait will be counted on even more to keep spirits high when the Oilers try to go a single victory deeper in the next Stanley Cup playoffs.
Call me reductive for that last line if you must. Just trying to boost morale with a little humor. My heart goes out to Connor McDavid and all Canadians who thought the Cup was coming home.
