Connor McDavid holds nothing back in message to Oilers before Game 2 vs Kings

Connor McDavid, true to form, left his mark in the opening game of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Edmonton Oilers captain delivered a stellar four-point performance, notching one goal and assisting on three others. Yet, despite his brilliance, Edmonton finds itself trailing in the series and in urgent need of a convincing response in Game 2 against the Los Angeles Kings.

The Oilers, who had previously eliminated the Kings in each of the last three postseasons, stumbled in their 2025 playoff debut. Los Angeles opened the contest with a commanding 4–0 lead, capitalizing on a sluggish Edmonton start. Although the Oilers mounted a spirited comeback in the third period, the Kings held on for a 6–5 victory.

Expectations are high for this Oilers squad, particularly after last year’s deep playoff run. Despite falling short in the Stanley Cup Final, McDavid was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoffs’ Most Valuable Player. Following the Game 1 setback, the Oilers’ captain emphasized the importance of recalibrating the team’s mindset and intensity moving forward.

McDavid’s message

“We could definitely feel that right away, so we’ve got to raise our level of work and be ready to work,” McDavid emphasized in his postgame remarks to NHL.com’s Dan Greenspan. The Oilers’ captain acknowledged that while the game was tied in the final minute, the Kings had clearly dominated the opening 40 minutes. “They were just more desperate, more urgent than we were,” he admitted. McDavid’s candid assessment serves as a direct challenge to his teammates to elevate their intensity and execution heading into Game 2.

Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers reacts against the Los Angeles Kings on April 21, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

McDavid defends goaltender Stuart Skinner

A key element in Edmonton’s hopes of leveling the series will be the performance of goaltender Stuart Skinner, who allowed all six goals in the Game 1 loss. While Skinner also showed inconsistency during last year’s postseason, McDavid remained supportive of his netminder.

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“Tough to fault him on many of them,” McDavid said of Skinner. “What are you going to do when guys are standing in the slot by themselves, you know? Those are freebies that are tough on him. We’ve got to do a better job of protecting that area.”