Last postseason, Connor McDavid won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. This year in the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, he looks set to attempt to defend that post-season honour. McDavid is widely considered to be the best player in the NHL, a true generational talent. While there are arguments for two or three others, the default answer tends to be McDavid. Besides the incredible point totals, it is because he is a freak, most extraordinarily. Despite injury issues, he had another great year. He’s one of the few players who can decide he’s scoring now. Nothing the defense can do about it; McDavid’s just decided to score.
Partway through Round 2, McDavid Poised to Be in Conn Smythe Trophy Conversation in 2025
Dominating in the regular season has been easy for him for a long time. However, a cloud loomed over his post-season issues prior to his and the team’s performance last year. That sensational effort brought the Oilers to the Stanley Cup Final, and one win away from victory versus the eventual champion Florida Panthers where, despite the loss, McDavid was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy. He had the fourth-highest scoring playoff run ever. Moreover, it was the second-highest to those who aren’t named Wayne Gretzky, and he looks like he is aiming to defend his title. What is most impressive here is that McDavid hasn’t reached top gear yet.
McDavid’s 2023-24 Playoffs
In the playoffs last season, Connor McDavid only scored the one game-winning goal. However, he still scored eight goals and 34 assists for 42 points in just 25 games. He dominated the league last year, leading the Oilers from the front. When your captain sets the tone by scoring like that, there is a point of leadership for the team, and they tend to do better. McDavid is the spearhead for the Oilers, and he proved it with a great postseason last year.
His points-per-game rate was 1.68. For a playoff run, that is unbelievable. It shows just how well McDavid played. He’s always been a dominant scorer, but this is in the playoffs. You don’t reach the fourth-highest points total in a playoff run when you’re not a fantastic player. It’s an impressive feat regardless, but McDavid may have surpassed himself. With Leon Draisaitl by his side, the two superstars almost seem unstoppable.
McDavid’s 2024-25 Playoffs
In the 2025 playoffs, McDavid has recorded just two goals. However, he has 12 assists to go with them for 14 points in eight games, a points-per-game rate of 1.75. He’s actually scoring at a stronger rate this year than last and has helped the Oilers to one of their best playoff runs already in the McDavid era. All he has to do now is keep going.
There will be more difficult opponents for him to face, but if he keeps doing this, he will make himself a strong contender for the Conn Smythe Trophy again, especially if the Oilers end up playing the same number of games. McDavid has been the best Oiler since the second he was drafted ten years ago. He’s got a trophy cabinet full of regular-season awards. Back-to-back Conn Smythe Trophies would put him in rarified air. It would thrust him comprehensively into the All-Time Great category.
Main Photo Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
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