Leave it to the calm and cool captain of the Edmonton Oilers to bring some levity to a bad situation. Following Saturday's 3-0 loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, Connor McDavid had a simple explanation.
"Maybe it was the hockey gods getting us back for that Game 6, where we probably didn't deserve to win," McDavid said via Sportsnet.
The game McDavid is referring to is the finale of the Western Conference Final against the Dallas Stars. The Oilers nursed a two-goal first-period lead, carrying it all the way to a series-clinching victory despite being largely outplayed and out-shot, 34-10, by the Stars.
Saturday was similar, but the Oilers were on the wrong end this time. Edmonton threw 32 shots on the Panthers' net, all stopped by Sergei Bobrovsky, who had arguably one of the best Game 1 performances in the Stanley Cup Final by a netminder ever.
Nothing seemed to break Edmonton's way on Saturday. Its top-rated power play went 0-for-3, and its top scorers were mainly silent. Meanwhile, despite allowing only 18 shots on the other end, several found their way past goalie Stuart Skinner, including the Panther's first shot of the game.
There was clearly frustration in McDavid's voice following the loss, and rightfully so. But he did sound confident that the Oilers, boasting one of the most electric offenses in the NHL, can find a way to rebound in Game 2.
"I know this group will stick with it, bounce back," McDavid said. "That's what we take a lot of pride in doing, and we'll gear up for a big one on Monday."
