The Edmonton Oilers have completed a remarkable journey, transforming from the worst to the first in the Western Conference. Their reward? A shot at the Stanley Cup.
McDavid Shines in Opening Period
Connor McDavid kickstarted the Oilers’ momentum with a goal and an assist in the opening period. Stuart Skinner, the hometown hero, stopped 34 shots, helping the Oilers secure a 2-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Sunday night.
Key Contributions from Hyman and Bouchard
Zach Hyman scored on a first-period power play, and Evan Bouchard provided two assists. These efforts propelled the Oilers to win the Western Conference final in six games, marking their first Stanley Cup appearance since 2006.
Facing the Panthers in the Final
The Oilers now head to Florida to face the Panthers in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. This series marks the longest distance between Final opponents in NHL history, with 2,540 miles separating Edmonton and Sunrise, Florida.
Historic Achievement for Canadian Teams
Edmonton is the first Canadian team to reach the Final in a non-COVID-19-affected season since the Vancouver Canucks in 2011. The last Canadian team to win the Cup was the Montreal Canadiens in 1993.
“When the horn went off, that’s the loudest I ever heard it,” McDavid told Sportsnet during the on-ice celebration. Edmonton fans chanted “We want the Cup” in unison, reflecting the city’s rich hockey history and passionate support.
Stars’ Efforts Fall Short
Mason Marchment scored for the Stars in the third period, and Jake Oettinger stopped eight shots. Despite finishing the regular season with the second-best record in the NHL, the Stars couldn’t maintain their conference final lead.
Heartbreak for Dallas
“We should be going to play a Game 7, but we’re not,” Stars coach Peter DeBoer said. “You have to give Edmonton credit. Their power play and goaltender were excellent. It’s fine lines at this point of the year.”
Edmonton’s Improbable Run
The Oilers’ journey to the Cup final is nothing short of extraordinary. They were 10 points out of a playoff spot during the regular season and had a 5-12-1 record entering games on Nov. 24. However, a mid-season coaching change and an eight-game winning streak turned their fortunes around.
A Remarkable Turnaround
Under new coach Kris Knoblauch, the Oilers embarked on a historic comeback, finishing the season with a 44-15-5 record. They led the league in goals (239) and goal differential (plus-76) during this period.
“We’re not done here. This is just one step in the right direction for us,” Edmonton’s Mattias Ekholm stated.
Eyes on the Stanley Cup
The Oilers aim to bring the Stanley Cup back to Canada, joining the ranks of Toronto (1958-59) and St. Louis (2018-19) as teams that made the final after being 10 points or more out of a playoff spot. The Blues won the Cup that season, and the Oilers hope to replicate that success.
McDavid’s Spectacular Performance
McDavid’s goal in Game 6 was a masterpiece, weaving through traffic to beat Oettinger. “Connor McDavid, doing Connor McDavid things,” Skinner remarked.
McDavid then assisted Hyman for another power-play goal, setting the stage for Edmonton’s victory. Despite having only 10 shots on goal, the Oilers made them count, securing a memorable win.
“We hung in there. We got it done,” McDavid said. “Everyone deserves it.”
The Oilers’ journey from the basement of the NHL to the brink of a Stanley Cup victory is a testament to their resilience and determination. As they prepare to face the Panthers, the dream of bringing the Cup back to Edmonton is closer than ever.