The Edmonton Oilers are set to compete in the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2006, having sealed their position with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the Dallas Stars at Rogers Place in Alberta on Sunday night. This win concluded the Western Conference finals series with a 4-2 series victory, rekindling the championship aspirations that have eluded them since their last title in 1990.
Reflecting on the team’s gritty performance, Oilers star Connor McDavid shared with Sportsnet, “It feels like a dream honestly. It was a crazy one tonight. Not our best effort, but we hung in there. Found a way to get a win… Just hung in there. It wasn’t pretty, but we got it done.” This victory is especially significant for McDavid as it marks his first trip to the Stanley Cup Final in his illustrious career.
McDavid played a pivotal role in securing the win, scoring early in the game after a power play assisted by Leon Draisaitl within the first five minutes of the opening period. This goal added to McDavid’s impressive postseason tally, making him the sixth player in NHL history to record multiple 30-point playoff years.
Despite their lead, the Oilers faced a strong challenge from the Stars, who managed to tie the game in the third period thanks to Mason Marchment. The Stars intensified their efforts and outshot the Oilers 11-2 at the beginning of the final period. However, their late push was insufficient to overturn the Oilers’ lead, who clung to their narrow advantage until the final whistle.
The Oilers had a challenging path to the finals, starting with a swift victory over the Los Angeles Kings in the opening round. They then endured a tough seven-game series against the Vancouver Canucks before taking on the Stars. Their resilience was on full display as they rebounded from two consecutive losses to win three straight games, securing their spot in the Final.
On the Eastern front, the Florida Panthers also advanced to the Stanley Cup Final, marking their second consecutive appearance and third overall. They clinched their place with a 2-1 victory against the New York Rangers in Game 6 of their series on Saturday night. The Panthers, who saw a significant improvement this season with 10 additional wins and an Atlantic Division title, overcame the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Boston Bruins before defeating the Rangers.
As the Oilers and Panthers prepare for the upcoming Stanley Cup Final, fans and players alike are brimming with anticipation. The Oilers, in particular, hope to end Canada’s long drought and claim the title, becoming the first Canadian team to win the championship since 1993.