The Edmonton Oilers were on the verge of making history.
The Oilers became just the 10th team in NHL history to force a Game 7 after losing three straight games, but were unable to finish the job.
The Florida Panthers hung in there, avoiding embarrassment, with a 2-1 victory on Monday night to claim their first Stanley Cup.
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Edmonton Oilers player Connor McDavid and his fiancee Lauren Kyle arrive on the red carpet ahead of the 2023 NHL Awards at Bridgestone Arena on June 26, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Despite the loss, Oilers superstar Connor McDavid was named the recipient of the Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded to the overall playoff MVP.
McDavid is the first Conn Smythe Trophy winner with a team that lost in the Cup final since Mighty Ducks of Anaheim goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere lost to the New Jersey Devils in 2003.
McDavid’s fiancee, Lauren Kyle, posted to her Instagram Story remembering his season with the Oilers.
“It’s heartbreaking. [as] “I am so grateful to be in Edmonton with this group,” she wrote. New York Post“Win or lose, I just want to let you know how proud I am of everything we’ve accomplished this year. It was amazing to have so many fans travelling across the continent to support our team. We have the best fans in the league and deserve them more than anyone. We’ll be bringing this joy to Canada soon!”
Edmonton Oilers player Connor McDavid (number 97) reacts to the Florida Panthers’ victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 24, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Panthers fans boo Oilers’ Connor McDavid at Conn Smythe Trophy ceremony
McDavid led all players in points with 42, the fourth-most in NHL history, and also set a playoff record with 34 assists this season. Only Wayne Gretzky (47 points, 43 points) and Mario Lemieux (44 points) have surpassed McDavid’s playoff total this season.
He also became the first player in league history to score four consecutive points in Games 4 and 5 of the Finals, helping the Oilers come back from a 3-0 deficit.
McDavid was held to a halt by the Panthers in Games 6 and 7 and didn’t score a single point, but he did have some good opportunities in each game.
Panthers fans were rooting for Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky after Bettman selected McDavid, who was a surefire favorite after his excellent performance in Game 7 and throughout the playoffs.
Connor McDavid (number 97) of the Edmonton Oilers watches the first period of Game 6 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers at Rogers Place on June 21, 2024 in Edmonton, Alberta. (Cody McLachlan/Getty Images)
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Nevertheless, it’s McDavid who has been outstanding in these playoffs. He is also the favorite to win the Hart Memorial Trophy as this season’s overall league MVP. This would be his fourth (and second consecutive) time winning the award, making him just the fourth player to win the trophy four times (Eddie Shore, Gordie Howe and Wayne Gretzky).
Fox News’ Scott Thompson contributed to this report.
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