After back-to-back trips to the Stanley Cup Final, including a Game 7 loss in 2024, the Oilers are out in the first round, falling to an Anaheim Ducks team that just ended a seven-year playoff drought.
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“We were an average team all year,” Oilers captain Connor McDavid told reporters after the Game 6 loss in Anaheim. “When you’re an average team with high expectations, you’re going to be disappointed. We just never found it.”
McDavid, who signed a team-friendly, two-year extension to allow the team to build a stronger contender, still drives the team. So does Leon Draisaitl, but both of them were dealing with injuries. Even though the goaltending was changed to Connor Ingram and Tristan Jarry, it didn’t get them as far. The penalty kill was the worst in the league in the playoffs.
“We expected to have a longer run than we did. It is what it is,” McDavid said.
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NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2026-26 regular season awards?
The NHL is announcing the finalists for the Hart Trophy and the other major awards. Here’s who is in the running (listed alphabetically):
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NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2026-26 regular season awards?
The NHL is announcing the finalists for the Hart Trophy and the other major awards. Here’s who is in the running (listed alphabetically):
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NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2026-26 regular season awards?
Ted Lindsay Award (most outstanding player) finalist: San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini
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NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2026-26 regular season awards?
Ted Lindsay finalist: Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov
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NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2026-26 regular season awards?
Ted Lindsay finalist: Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid
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NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2026-26 regular season awards?
Masterton Trophy (perseverance) nominee: Anaheim Ducks goaltender Ville Husso
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NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2026-26 regular season awards?
Masterton nominee: Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy
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NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2026-26 regular season awards?
NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2026-26 regular season awards?
Masterton nominee: Philadelphia Flyers left wing Garrett Wilson
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NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2026-26 regular season awards?
Masterton nominee: Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Anthony Mantha
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NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2026-26 regular season awards?
Masterton nominee: St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington
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NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2026-26 regular season awards?
Masterton nominee: San Jose Sharks goalie Laurent Brossoit
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NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2026-26 regular season awards?
Masterton nominee: Seattle Kraken right wing Jordan Eberle
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NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2026-26 regular season awards?
Masterton nominee: Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Darren Raddysh
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NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2026-26 regular season awards?
Masterton nominee: Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson
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NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2026-26 regular season awards?
Masterton nominee: Utah Mammoth right wing Clayton Keller
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NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2026-26 regular season awards?
Masterton nominee: Vancouver Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen
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NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2026-26 regular season awards?
Masterton nominee: Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Akira Schmid
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NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2026-26 regular season awards?
Masterton nominee: Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin
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NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2026-26 regular season awards?
Masterton nominee: Winnipeg Jets center Jonathan Toews
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Connor McDavid after Oilers loss to Ducks: ‘We were an average team’
