The expectations of Connor McDavid to win a Stanley Cup are overblown
Speaking of Connor McDavid, he was heavily featured during the two-part finale. The best player in the world playing in his first Stanley Cup Final was big news.
McDavid is responsible for the most viral moment of the series, giving an expletive-heavy plea to his team to be better after losing in Game 2.
While it didn't quite work in Game 3, his leadership helped the Oilers rebound for three straight wins before losing in Game 7 in Sunrise. His reaction to the loss is heartbreaking as he breaks down in the locker room.
The series does a good job of talking about the hype surrounding McDavid from a young age. The expectations have always been astronomical for him. Sometimes, it's to an unfair degree.
He has been the best player we expected him to be, winning the Hart Trophy three times and the Art Ross five times. During the 2024 Playoffs, McDavid broke Wayne Gretzky's assist record, leading the league with 42 points as he won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Playoffs MVP.
If Connor McDavid never wins a Stanley Cup, he'll still be one of the best players of this generation and maybe even ever. He's only 27 years old, so he has several more years ahead of him. He'll likely reach 1,000 points before the end of October.
Even if he never played another game again, McDavid is a first-ballot Hall of Famer. That being said, I expect the sting of the Game 7 loss to fuel the entire Oilers team, making them front-runners for this year's Stanley Cup.