Connor McDavid held ’accountable’ for Oilers’ blowout loss in Game 3

The Edmonton Oilers looked like a mess during Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers on Monday. The Cats, who secured a 6-1 victory and a 2-1 series lead, dominated the Oilers as Edmonton struggled to generate much offence and spent most of the night in the penalty box. The game also featured a staggering 140 penalty minutes and a near line brawl, and for NBA commentator Stephen A. Smith, captain Connor McDavid is the one that must be held accountable.

In a segment with former NHL defenseman P.K. Subban, Smith ripped into the Oilers superstar, saying:

“Connor McDavid, 13 shots, no goals, zero, nothing in the Stanley Cup?” Smith said. “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?"

The Stanley Cup Final are taking place at the same time as the NBA Finals, and it’s well-known that both Shaq and Charles Barkley have been rooting for the Oilers. However, Smith had quite the brutal assessment of McDavid, who, let’s remind him, is tied for the series lead in points alongside teammate Evan Bouchard and Panthers Carter Verhaeghe and Nate Schmidt.

Subban took the defense of McDavid throughout the segment. The former NHLer usually likes to take shots at Edmonton, but he was adamant that this loss was not on McDavid or even Leon Draisaitl, but on the team as a whole.

“It wasn’t just about Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl not showing up on the scoresheet and not dominating the game,” Subban said. “The whole Edmonton Oilers team didn’t show up on time. Florida dominated them in every facet of the game.”

The Oilers will look to even out the series before heading back home for Saturday’s Game 5. Edmonton is far from out of this and I’m sure McDavid will look to respond like a captain does.