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Connor McDavid's Blunt Thoughts on Oilers-Panthers Physical Line Brawl

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jun 10, 2025 8:23 AM ET

The Florida Panthers overwhelmed the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3, skating to a 6–1 victory and a 2–1 lead in the Stanley Cup Final.

The game spiraled into chaos in the third period, and both teams combined for 140 penalty minutes while putting on a show ending in a full line brawl during the last frame.

It was a drastic shift from the first two games, which both went to overtime in close affairs. Game 3, by contrast, was a one-sided game from the outset, with the Panthers building an early 2-0 lead and never looking back.

Edmonton committed 21 penalties, surrendered 11 power-play opportunities, and allowed three goals with the man disadvantage.

"Not our best at all. I don't think our best has shown up all series long, but it's coming. Shift the focus to find a way to get a win in Game 4."

Connor McDavid on the #Oilers results so far in the Stanley Cup Final.@Enterprise | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/pWhe8UdmG3
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) June 10, 2025

After the game, Connor McDavid was asked about the series of fights and misconducts that happened during the third period when the result was already obvious and the game was out of Edmonton's reach.

“I thought when the game’s out of hand you’re going to see that stuff,” McDavid said. “I don’t think it was necessarily that way early on while we were still playing. When we get into garbage time, those things happen.”

McDavid was also critical of the Oilers' performance and didn’t sugarcoat the team's poor play on Monday.

“This is a low point. Yeah, disappointed obviously,” McDavid said. “Game three of the Stanley Cup Finals, you’d like to play better.”

Despite the collapse, McDavid said he understood the team’s frustration boiling over. He wasn't displeased with the late scuffles, but acknowledged early penalties hurt the Oilers.

“I don’t mind when those things happen. As I said, it’s what good teams do—fight your way out of the rink,” McDavid said. “I don’t mind that in garbage time, but obviously, as I said, the penalties in the first hurt us."

“You’re down two (goals), you’re chasing it. It’s tough.”

Game 4 is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on Thursday in Sunrise, FL, with the Oilers playing one final time in Florida before they return to Edmonton for Game 5.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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