Can Connor McDavid break through and lead the Edmonton Oilers to Stanley Cup triumph in 2025?
Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers suffered a heartbreaking defeat in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals last season.
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Connor McDavid (Image via X)
So close, yet so far. This was the story of the Edmonton Oilers in 2023-24 season as they lost in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final against the Florida Panthers and fell short. This has led to many wondering whether their captain Connor McDavid can break through and steer them to success in the 2024-25 season.
The Oilers had a dynasty in the 1980s. Led by “The Great One” Wayne Gretzky, the Canadian outfit won four Stanley Cups from 1983 to 1988. Despite the shock trade of Gretzky to the Los Angeles Kings, the Oilers still managed to win the trophy in 1990.
Since then, the Oilers have not tasted victory in the Stanley Cup. They did reach the finals in the 2005-06 season, but lost in Game 7 against the Carolina Hurricanes.
In the 2023-24 season, the Oilers did not start off strong which led to their coach Jay Woodcraft being fired and replaced by Kris Knoblauch. Following this early setback, the Oilers managed to turn their season around and reached the finals again.
Against the Florida Panthers, they fell 3-0 down in the series. After that, they managed to make it 3-3 by winning Games 4, 5, and 6 and forced a Game 7. Their luck finally ran out in this match as the Panthers won 2-1 and won the Stanley Cup.
Connor McDavid was awarded the Conn Smythe trophy for his performance. This award is given to the MVP of the playoffs. He became just the 6th different player to win this honor and lose out on the cup. His aim is now do to one better, just like the Panthers did after losing in the 2023 finals, and bring back the cup to Edmonton.
Can Connor McDavid actually do it?
Let’s be honest Connor McDavid is a generational talent. On paper, he can single-handedly win the Stanley Cup for the Edmonton Oilers. In reality things are different.
In 2015, McDavid was considered one of the top prospects in the sport of hockey. His performances at the junior level had raised his name. Thus, the Oilers wasted no time and selected him as the number one overall draft pick in 2015.
That same year he went on to make his debut for the team. At the age of 19 he was named the captain of the team becoming the youngest captain in NHL history.
Ever since, the star of McDavid has continued to shine bright. In his 9-year league career he has amassed more than 100 points in 7 seasons winning the Hart Memorial Trophy, given to the MVP of the league, three times.
In the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs, McDavid was on fire. He had 1 goal and 11 assists (12 points) against the Los Angeles Kings in the first round, 1 goal and 8 assists (9 points) against the Vancouver Canucks in the second round. In the Western Conference finals against the Dallas Stars, he picked up 3 more goals and 7 assists (10 points) before having 3 goals and 8 assists (11 points) against the Florida Panthers in the finals.
The Panthers were able to restrict McDavid in the final two games of the series though. In Game 6 and 7, the forward failed to have a single point or assist. He thus finished with a tally of 8 goals and 34 assists (42 points) in the playoffs.
Connor McDavid needs support
Throughout the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs, Connor McDavid showed off his incredible talent in front of the net. His 42 points in the playoffs last season was the fourth highest number any player has generated, just behind Hall of Famers Mario Lemieux and obviously Wayne Gretzky.
However, individual brilliance alone cannot get the job done. There is a reason why they say, “Teamwork makes the dream work.” McDavid could get 50 points and still end up losing the cup.
To win the trophy, he needs support from his teammates. Players like Darnell Nurse, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Leon Draisaitl – the three alternate captains of the team, have to support him more.
Zach Hyman was the top goal scorer of the team in the playoffs last year with 16. He managed to add 6 assists as well. Evan Bouchard was the second in the points tally with 32 (6 goals and 26 assists). Draisaitl, the strike partner of McDavid had 31 point (10 points, 21 assists).
Another area where the Oilers needed to focus is their 2nd, 3rd and 4th line defense. Defenseman Troy Stecher and Ty Emberson have not felt comfortable while playing this season. The two of them also have averaged around just 14 minutes on the ice with Emberson having 14:56 per game while Stecher has 14:12.
The team also recalled Josh Brown earlier this month. However, he has also averaged fewer minutes on the ice, suggesting that he is not the solution the team is looking for.
Either the Oilers should give them more time on the ice or trade them with some player who coach Kris Knoblauch, who could provide more minutes. The team needs to find a fix for this before the playoffs.
Stuart Skinner needs to become a wall for Connor McDavid and the Oilers
One way the Oilers can win the Stanley Cup in 2025 is if goaltender Stuart Skinner becomes a wall and prevents the opposition from scoring. After an incredible 2023-24 season, the 2024-25 campaign has been a little topsy turvy one for him.
Last season, the 26-year-old played in 59 regular season games and went 36-16-5 with a 2.62 Goals Against Average (GAA) and a Save Percentage of .905. In the playoffs, he started 23 games, all 7 of the finals against the Panthers and went 14-9 with a GAA of 2.45 and save percentage of .901.
The 2024-25 campaign has been a mixed one for him. After a poor start, he seems to have found his form again. With a 19-11-3 record in 33 games, he has accumulated a 2.69 GAA and a save percentage of .902.
His performances have led to coach Kris Knoblauch questioning his own decision to start him. Second choice keeper Calvin Pickard has already played 18 games this year, with 16 of them being starts. He has a 12-4-0 record, with a GAA of 2.50 and save percentage of .899, slightly lower than Skinner.
Skinner has concede 87 goals this season. However, when the time comes, he will be the preferred first choice goaltender for the Oilers. For the team to win the Stanley Cup, he will need to stop some and become a wall.
Which teams could become a challenge for the Oilers and Connor McDavid during the Stanley Cup playoffs?
At the time of writing, the Edmonton Oilers are 31-15-3, second in the Pacific Division standings. Unless something catastrophic happens, the team will play in the postseason this year. Which teams can become a problem for them in the playoffs though?
At the moment, the Oilers are currently third in the Western Conference table behind the Winnipeg Jets and the Vegas Golden Knights. The Golden Knights are also above the Oilers in first place in the division rankings.
The Minnesota Wild could be a surprise package for many. They are currently fifth in the conference and have a good chance of making it to the playoffs.
Whereas top teams like Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars could cause some issues for the Oilers. The Stars faced them in the Western Conference finals last season. After defeating the reigning champions Golden Knights and the Avalanche, the Stars were eliminated by the Oilers in Game 6. They would certainly like a shot at them again and try to exact revenge on them.
So can Connor McDavid lead the Oilers to Stanley Cup triumph? – Yes. Can he do it all alone and drag them to the title? – No. He will need support from this teammates as they aim to push all the way again.
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Vinay Dave
(1801 Articles Published)