Oilers' Connor McDavid makes feelings known about all hell breaking loose in final minutes of Game 3 Stanley Cup Final vs Panthers

Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers had a difficult Monday night, losing 6-1 to the Florida Panthers in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. The Panthers now lead the series 2-1. The Oilers struggled to control penalties, which hurt their chances.

Edmonton gave the Panthers 11 power plays, and Florida scored three times with the man advantage. The teams combined for 35 penalties, with 140 total penalty minutes. The Oilers took 21 penalties for 85 minutes. Florida’s fast start and strong power play were too much for Edmonton.

Oilers captain Connor McDavid spoke after the game about what happened in the final minutes. He explained that rough moments are part of games that are already decided.

"I thought when the game's out of hand you're going to see that stuff," McDavid said. "I don't think it was necessarily that way early on while we were still playing. When we get into garbage time, those things happen."

McDavid said he did not mind what happened during garbage time. But he felt that early penalties hurt the Oilers badly.

"I don't mind when those things happen," McDavid said. "As I said, it's what good teams do—fight your way out of the rink. I don't mind that in garbage time, but obviously, as I said, the penalties in the first hurt us. You're down two, you're chasing it. It's tough."

When asked if this was a low point, Connor McDavid said yes. He added it was disappointing to lose like this in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final.

"This is a low point. Yeah, disappointed obviously," McDavid said. "Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals, you'd like to play better."

---

Connor McDavid's Game 2 pass surprised Oilers president

Jeff Jackson, president of the Oilers, was left surprised by Connor McDavid’s pass in Game 2. He used to be McDavid’s agent and has seen him make great plays for years. Still, this one stood out. Jackson said he jumped up and asked (via NHL):

“What’d he just do?”

McDavid beat two defenders and passed to Leon Draisaitl, who scored on the power play. Jackson said McDavid’s timing and vision made the play possible, calling it a natural skill.

McDavid was asked how he did it. He just laughed and said:

“A lot goes into that. I don’t know.”

Draisaitl answered for him, saying:

“You can’t learn that.”

The play happened fast and was hard to follow, but it showed how special Connor McDavid is.