Connor McDavid Answers 'Pretty Heavy Question' on Stanley Cup Pressure

Yahoo

6 hours ago

Connor McDavid Answers 'Pretty Heavy Question' on Stanley Cup Pressure originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The stakes are sky-high for the Edmonton Oilers heading into Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final.
Advertisement
Down 3–2 to the defending champion Florida Panthers, they're facing elimination on the road for the second year in a row.
Connor McDavid, now in his 10th NHL season and widely considered the best player in the world, once again finds himself one win away from forcing a Game 7 as well as one loss away from another crushing end to a season without the Stanley Cup getting back to Edmonton, and neither being added to his personal trophy cabinet once and for all.
McDavid has already collected three Hart Trophies and five Art Ross titles among a plethora of other accolades and feats.
The Oilers' superstar was asked Monday whether the weight of his stature in the NHL fuels pressure to deliver a championship.
Advertisement
'That's a pretty heavy question,' McDavid said. 'If you think about it that way, you'd probably be pretty crippled in terms of how you prepare and how you play.'
McDavid said the moment is bigger for the team than for him or his individual legacy.
"It's not really about me," McDavid said. "It's about us trying to get a win here tomorrow night. That's what we're looking forward to."
"I think everybody has another level, myself included.'
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) against the Florida Panthers.Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
McDavid enters Game 6 tied with teammate Leon Draisaitl in postseason points, each having 33 in 21 playoff games. The Oilers captain, however, only has one goal in the finals and has lacked his usual punch.
Advertisement
'We've put ourselves in another difficult spot and it's our job to work our way out of it,' McDavid said. 'I'm excited. I'm excited about the opportunity.'
Game 6 will take place in Sunrise on Tuesday night, with puck drop set at 8 p.m. ET and the Panthers having their first of two chances at winning back-to-back championships.
Related: NHL Makes Historic Connor McDavid Announcement Amid Stanley Cup Final
Related: Oilers Player Makes Bold Stanley Cup Final Guarantee Before Game 6
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.