But the major differences are that McDavid faced the best defensive(two way) forward in the league, one of the best goalies(and before game 4 was putting on a clinic), and one of the best defensive teams in the league. He was still able to produce regardless. Did he show up in games 6 and 7? He didn’t produce but I definitely wouldn’t say he played poorly. But like I said, he had more secondary scoring those two games like Crosby did, it would have made a world of difference and funny enough, would have made him a better leader and player to many..
You seem very reasonable on the topic, so I’m not directing this totally at you…but why is McDavids reputation as a player and leader being questioned after his performance, while Crosbys finals play is getting a lot of intangible arguments mixed with justifications on why he didn’t perform?(Zetterberg, injuries, “all around play.”)