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Stephen A. Smith Criticizes Connor McDavid’s Stanley Cup Performance
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The NBA commentator questions McDavid’s impact despite his point total,while P.K. Subban defends the Oilers’ captain.
Despite Connor McDavid’s five points in the first three Stanley Cup Final games, Stephen A. Smith has voiced his disapproval of the Edmonton Oilers’ captain’s performance.
Game 3 saw the Florida Panthers rout the oilers with a 6-1 victory, taking a 2-1 series lead. The Oilers struggled offensively and accumulated numerous penalties, giving Florida 11 power plays and resulting in five player ejections.
McDavid was held without a point as the Panthers effectively shut him down. While it’s challenging for any player to consistently dominate in the Stanley Cup final, Smith believes McDavid should be held to a higher standard.
During an ESPN segment with P.K. Subban, the outspoken NBA analyst didn’t hold back his criticism of the Oilers’ star.
“Connor McDavid, 13 shots, no goals, zero, nothing in the Stanley Cup?” Smith questioned. “This is a three-time league MVP, no championship, maybe the greatest that has never won.”
“Here we are again, same opponent, same situation, same problem. When do you get to hold a superstar accountable,if not under these conditions?”
.@ Pksubban1 and @stephenasmith disagree on how accountable Connor McDavid is for the Oilers’ Game 3 loss.
“Thirteen shots. No goals. Zero, nothing, in the Stanley Cup? … When do you get to hold a superstar accountable, if not under these conditions?” pic.twitter.com/ssMNq8Ymfa
– First Take (@FirstTake) June 10, 2025
The Oilers’ playoff journey has attracted attention from several NBA commentators. while Charles Barkley and Shaq have expressed support for Edmonton, Smith has adopted a more critical stance.
McDavid is currently tied for the series lead in points with teammate Evan Bouchard and Panthers players Carter verhaeghe and Nate Schmidt.
Subban defended McDavid during the segment, arguing that the loss wasn’t solely McDavid’s fault but a result of the entire team’s performance.
“It wasn’t just about Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl not showing up on the scoresheet and not dominating the game,” Subban stated. “The whole Edmonton Oilers team didn’t show up on time. florida dominated them in every facet of the game.”
Oilers Aim to Rebound in Game 4
“thirteen shots. No goals. Zero, nothing, in the Stanley cup? … When do you get to hold a superstar accountable, if not under these conditions?”
The Panthers have gained momentum in the Stanley Cup Final, but the Oilers remain hopeful. A victory on Thursday would allow them to return to Edmonton with a chance to take the series lead.
McDavid will need to ensure his team is mentally prepared for game 4.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many games are in the Stanley Cup Final?
- The Stanley cup Final is a best-of-seven series, meaning the first team to win four games wins the Stanley Cup.
- Who is connor McDavid?
- Connor McDavid is the captain of the Edmonton Oilers and is widely regarded as one of the best hockey players in the world.
- What was Stephen A. Smith’s criticism of Connor mcdavid?
- Stephen A. Smith criticized McDavid for not scoring goals in the Stanley Cup Final despite taking 13 shots.
- Who defended Connor McDavid’s performance?
- Former NHL player P.K. Subban defended McDavid, stating that the entire Oilers team did not perform well in Game 3.
- What is the current series lead?
- The Florida Panthers currently lead the series 2-1.
