Connor McDavid said after elimination what no Maple Leaf has ever said after a playoff loss and it cuts deep
Connor McDavid is now out of the playoffs and was honest about his team's performance, something that Maple Leafs players would never think of doing.
With the Anaheim Ducks unable to get things done in Game 5, it was a completely different story in Game 6 as the plucky young upstarts defeated the Oilers 5-2 to advance to the Western Conference semis.
Jumping out to a 3-1 lead in the first, the Ducks never let up and the Oilers never really got going and got a pointless night from Connor McDavid, a disappointing end to a pretty fantastic season all things considered.
Connor McDavid calls out the Oilers for being 'just average' after Game 6 loss
But it's still a rough first round loss and that's something the world's best player isn't necessarily used to, and he was pretty disheartened after the Ducks sent him home in convincing fashion, and gave his honest thoughts as his season ended.
Suffice to say, he's a bit upset:
We were an average team all year. When you're an average team with high expectations, you're going to be disappointed.
Yikes. That's pretty harsh considering that the Oilers finished second in the Pacific and actually looked like a team that could potentially make it out of the mucky Western Conference and find themselves in the Conference or Cup finals.
McDavid had six points in six games, which is a bit of a drop-off from what you'd expect from him and he was a ghastly minus-8 rating for the series; so his average comments also includes himself.
Though his words are going to resonate heavily with the Oiler fanbase; one that is struggling to find that extra edge to finally lift the Cup, so too does it with the Maple Leafs fans — who have never had this type of honesty.
Maple Leafs have never been honest with their performances
Looking back to the Maple Leafs, it feels like there's never enough transparency. Despite the team being chatty afterwards, it never comes with accountability; only passing the blame.
Auston Matthews said there were too many passengers and we still have no idea what he meant. If he had said 'we blew it, we were awful, and I didn't play my part' does it sound bad? Yes, but the truth hurts sometimes. Fans would rather the team be up front with their failures than hide behind excuses.
But much like Edmonton, Toronto was a team with high expectations. However, unlike the Oilers they absolutely were not average; they finished last in the Atlantic, gave up the most goals, most shots, and had arguably the worst defence in the league.
It's time for accountability to be at the forefront. Starting next season we need to hear the positives and the negatives. If Toronto crushes Montreal 6-0 with a full team effort; say so. Praise the boys, give them their flowers.
On the flip side, if you're dummied by a below average team, own up to your mistakes and realize tonight wasn't your night, admit your faults and just be better next time.
Connor McDavid is going to be facing a lot of questions about his future, however at least he was honest about his faults — something Toronto should learn sooner than later.
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