Connor McDavid Calls Out Pacific Division—'It's a Pillow Fight'

Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid waits for a face off

Connor McDavid's frustration, after the Edmonton Oilers were outclassed by the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday night, was clearly evident. He insinuated that their second-place standing in the weak Pacific Division is nothing to be proud of.

"It's a bit of a pillow fight right now."

Connor McDavid shares his honest thoughts on the Pacific Division race pic.twitter.com/ZtnbGI4pEH
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 22, 2026

“We are fortunate to play in this division. A lot of teams are fortunate to play in this division. It's a bit of a pillow fight right now,” said McDavid.

Indeed. Nearly two-thirds of the Eastern Conference—10 teams—would be in first place in the Pacific Division. And if the Oilers, with their 77 points, were in the East, they'd be seven points—yes, SEVEN—out of a playoff spot. With another four teams to leapfrog. The Oilers, if they drop far enough to not maintain one of the top three guaranteed playoff spots in their division, would not be in a position to win a Wild Card berth in the West.

The entire Pacific Division would be OUT of the playoffs in the Eastern Conf.

But in the sleepy "pillow fight" of the Pacific, the Oilers are just three points back of the Anaheim Ducks, and one point up on the Vegas Golden Knights. But again, all three of those teams would be on the outside looking in at the playoffs in the East.

For the second time in three days, all six teams in the Pacific that played, lost, so the Oilers did not lose any ground on Saturday.

But five of their next six games will have a lot to say about Edmonton's place in—or out of—the playoffs. They face: