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Connor McDavid Claps Back at Haters After Sending Golden Knights Packing
Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images

Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers believe they were doubted in 2024/25, and after overcoming the Golden Knights, he's clapped back at those doubters.

The Edmonton Oilers were up 3-1 heading into enemy territory on Wednesday night, and with a decisive overtime victory, they clinched their place in the Western Conference Finals once again.

This dominant performance comes on the back of a slow start to the post-season, but after going down to the LA Kings 2-0, the Oilers have found their rhythm, going 8-1 in the next 9 games, and at this point, there's likely no one that can significantly slow them down.

One of the biggest reasons that many doubted the Oilers was their goaltending, and after Calvin Pickard went down early in this series, those doubters grew even stronger with the return of Stuart Skinner to the starting job.

However, after a rough first start back, Skinner posted back-to-back shutouts, including the 1-0 victory on Wednesday, and according to captain Connor McDavid, that should shut the haters up.

Hopefully it shuts a lot of people up that were talking about him.

With a save percentage well under .900 through the first series of the post-season, Skinner used the time he had as a backup to fix whatever he was struggling with, and now, they head into their Western Conference Finals matchup with either the Winnipeg Jets or Dallas Stars full of confidence.

That doesn't mean things will be easy for Edmonton, but with their depth playing well, their goaltending turning it around and the best 1-2 combination in the NHL in McDavid and Draisaitl, there's absolutely no reason why this team can't go on to win the Stanley Cup in 2025.

This article first appeared on Blade of Steel and was syndicated with permission.

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