Panthers’ Ryan Lomberg rips Vegas’ Jonathan Marchessault ahead of Game 3

After helping his Vegas Golden Knights jump out to a 2-0 series lead with three goals and four points in the first two games, forward Jonathan Marchessault has emerged as Conn Smythe favourite in the Stanley Cup final. Marchessault has scored 12 goals in his past 12 games, which matches a franchise record for the most in any 12-game span.

When Panthers’ Ryan Lomberg was asked on Wednesday about Marchessault’s performance and the need for Florida to contain him, he had to take a shot at the Vegas forward. Lomberg not only mentioned that it was fine playing against Marchessault, but also added that: “It’s not Connor McDavid.”

Sure, if you’re going to compare any player still active at this time in the playoff race, none come close to McDavid, who has been named a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy awarded “to the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team,” voted upon by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Come on, he finished the year with 64 goals and 153 points in 82 games!

And so sure Lomberg is right : Marchessault isn’t McDavid. But who is.

The most important question is, however, knowing hockey players’ egos, how will the dig affect Marchessault and will he answer by the mouth of his stick in Game 3 tomorrow.

Game 3 is scheduled for Thursday with the Golden Knights having all the momentum as the series shifts to Florida, where the Panthers are looking for better luck on home ice.

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