The Edmonton Oilers have a rich history. The current team wants to add a memorable chapter to it.
Connor McDavid’s overtime goal on Thursday night helped the Oilers beat the Calgary Flames 5-4, win Alberta’s first playoff battle in 31 years and advance to the conference final from the West.
The Oilers won the Stanley Cup four times in the five years between 1984 and 1990, with teams led by Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Paul Coffey and Jari Kurri.
The Edmonton squad entered the Stanley Cup Finals in 2006, but lost seven games to the Carolina Hurricanes before losing to the playoffs for the next 10 seasons.
And despite a roster that includes McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers only once reached the second round of the playoffs with two star forwards before this spring. Now they dream of bringing back the most important hockey trophy in the Alberta capital.
” We are proud of the Hockey Hall of Fame members who have served our organization. We are proud of the different paths the team has taken over the years. Our group wants to contribute to this history and it wants to have a mark. “
scary attack
McDavid and Draisaitl led the scoring series with 26 points each. McDavid had 12 against the Flames while Draisaitl scored an impressive 17 points.
We had a lot of difficult times, Draisaitl recalled. People have been tough on us on several occasions. We haven’t won yet. We’re already in the middle, but it feels good to take the next step.
The Oilers will now face the Colorado Avalanche, which eliminated the Saint Louis Blues in six games. It was a big moment for our team, Woodcroft said of McDavid’s goal to win the game. We will appreciate it.
The Oilers, who beat the Los Angeles Kings in seven first-round encounters, lost 9-6 to the Flames in their opener. However, they won the next four games with a total of 19 goals out of 11.
” We waited and found a way to win. That’s our mentality throughout the series. “
The Flames are ahead in the Pacific Division this season – seven points ahead of No. 2 Oilers – but they did not catch up with their rivals in the province.
Oilers goaltender Mike Smith replaces fellow Vezina Trophy finalist Jacob Markstrom. Meanwhile, McDavid and Draisaitl clearly got the best of the Flames ’best players, along with Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk.
They tortured us. We had to push twice as hard, Draisaitl insisted. It was a very good fight. It shows the effort in our group, the kind of guys we have in the dressing room, the resilience to keep the plan and control the game.
A symbolic step
So what does it feel like to be part of Alberta’s first game since Esa Tikkanen played hero overtime for the Oilers in Game 7 in 1991?
It’s special, McDavid says. The fans in both arenas are impressive, especially in Edmonton. The energy and atmosphere in the city has become extraordinary.
It will certainly continue with the Oilers and fans who have endured years to find themselves just eight wins away from a Stanley Cup.
I’m sure the people at home are very excited, but we’re only halfway there, “Draisaitl said. We’re also very excited. We’re very happy and proud of what we’ve done in the playoffs so far, but we still have a lot to do. This is our final goal.We are ready for the next round of the playoffs.
Source: Radio-Canada
