NHL Matchday: Connor McDavid Was Smiling After Losing to Canadiens. What He Did Backstage Shocked Everyone

NHL Matchday: Connor McDavid Was Smiling After Losing to Canadiens — What He Did Backstage Shocked Everyone

Seeing Connor McDavid smiling after a loss is unusual for NHL fans. This is why Saturday’s defeat against the Montreal Canadiens has caused quite a stir in the hockey community.

The captain of the Edmonton Oilers seemed cheerful as he left the ice after a tough game, chatting lightly with his teammates while fans in the stands looked shocked. Social media went crazy with reactions. Was he being confident? Disrespectful? Or was there something more strategic about it?

The real action began after the NHL broadcast finished.

Sources close to the rink revealed that McDavid stayed cheerful backstage — in fact, he seemed even more relaxed. Instead of rushing for treatment or reviewing game footage, he reportedly spent time joking around with the staff, saying hello to Canadiens players, and even sharing laughs in the locker room for a bit. The cameras were off, and the microphones were absent, but those who were there had plenty to say about it.

Some Oilers fans felt let down.

“How can you smile after a loss like that? ” one fan wrote. “That’s not how a captain should act.”

Others think McDavid is playing a mind game — one that goes beyond just losing one game. Supporters say that his calm attitude shows he’s focused for the long run, strong mentally, and that losing in the regular season doesn’t define great players.

Yet, some critics aren’t convinced.

Former players and analysts have quietly raised concerns about whether this sends the wrong message to a team that is struggling. When the leader seems unfazed, does it encourage confidence — or lead to laziness?

What makes this moment even more debated is the timing. With the pressure for playoffs increasing and everyone having high hopes, every move McDavid makes is now getting a lot of attention. His smile was more than just a facial expression — it became a significant statement, whether he intended it or not.

Was Connor McDavid showing great confidence… or hinting at some issues underneath?

One thing is clear: that moment backstage might be talked about longer than the loss itself.