The Edmonton Oilers’ comeback attempt against the Florida Panthers fell just short. After going down 0-3 in the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals, they were led back by Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid.
The Edmonton Oilers fought back to tie the series at three but were defeated 2-1 in Game 7. Despite the loss, Connor McDavid was awarded the Conn Smythe Award, given to the MVP of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
It is only the sixth time in NHL history that a player on the losing team has won the award. For only the second time, it wasn’t a goalie. Understandably, Connor McDavid was thankful to have received such an honor but was bummed about the outcome of the series.
Leon Draisaitl, however, provided words for him. After Game 7, he spoke glowingly of his teammate, heaping praise on him and calling him the best player to take the ice.
“He’s the greatest player to ever play, in my books,” said Draisaitl. “So many things that a lot of people don’t see that he does. His work ethic. He singlehandedly turned our franchise around, pretty much. Just love sharing the ice with him. He’s just a really, really special person.”
While many people will believe that a player from the winning team should win the award, Connor McDavid certainly performed at a high enough level to take it home. The 2024 Stanley Cup players were historic for him, as he broke Wayne Gretzky’s assist record with 34.
His 42 points scored led the postseason, the second time in three years he has accomplished that feat. It was one of the most productive playoff runs in NHL history, as Gretzky and Mario Lemieux are the only players to have recorded more.
“I don’t think he cares,” Leon Draisaitl said when asked about McDavid winning the award in a losing effort. “I mean, it speaks to how amazing of a hockey player he is. There’s no player in the world that wants to win a Stanley Cup more than him. He does everything right, every single day, just to win it one day. It’s really hard with him being sad and being disappointed at the end.”
Connor McDavid would certainly trade in the Conn Smythe Award if it meant winning the Stanley Cup. The Edmonton Oilers will look to do in 2025 what the Panthers did this year; win the championship after losing in the finals the previous season.
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