Connor McDavid wasn't buying the notion that the Edmonton Oilers laid down and died in Tuesday's season-ending defeat to the Florida Panthers.
"We lost to a really good team. Nobody quit. Nobody threw the towel in," McDavid told reporters postgame. "They're a heck of a team. They're Stanley Cup champions back-to-back for a reason."
The Oilers fell 5-1 in Game 6, and Vasily Podkolzin scored Edmonton's only goal of the game with 4:22 left in the third period.
McDavid was held in check in the series, especially when compared to his lofty standards. He registered one goal and six assists in six games.
"Their forecheck was great. They tilted the rink. They were able to stay on top of us all over the place," McDavid said. "Never really able to generate any momentum up the ice. We kept trying the same thing over and over again, just banging our heads against the wall."
Despite the result, McDavid's faith in his team hasn't wavered.
"Still a lot of confidence and belief," McDavid said. "I don't think people thought we were going to make it this far. We obviously believed. Came up just short again."
McDavid and running mate Leon Draisaitl tallied a joint-best 33 points in the playoffs.
