Canadian fans look to ‘McJesus’, Oilers to end 3-decade Stanley Cup drought
“Connor McJesus,” aka, hockey superstar Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers, seems ready to deliver for the Stanley Cup Final. History will be on the line for both teams as the final series begins next week.
Who is in the Stanley Cup Final?
On Thursday, May 29, the Edmonton Oilers set up a rematch with the Florida Panthers by closing out the Dallas Stars in five games. McDavid was the catalyst and may be the savior not only for the Oilers, but for an entire nation.
Edmonton lost in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final to the Panthers but 2025 could be a different story. McDavid is red hot, and he’s led Edmonton to wins in 12 of their last 14 games. On Thursday, he scored the game-winning goal in scintillating fashion, a breakaway with Dallas forward Roope Hintz draped all over him. He deked the goalie, finished into the empty net and started the party.
Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse said McDavid never ceases to amaze.
“Yeah, incredible,” Nurse said. “Obviously, he’s just every big moment, he always steps up and makes such a difference for our team, and so fortunate to have him. That was a big goal and an example of a big player making a big, big play, a big moment.”
How long has it been since a Canadian team won the Cup?
The Oilers are now four wins from the Stanley Cup. It’s a prize a Canadian team hasn’t won in 31 years. The Montreal Canadiens were the last team to do it, beating Wayne Gretzky and the Los Angeles Kings in 1993. Considering hockey is the national sport of Canada, it’s not a stretch to say the weight of a nation rests on the Oilers’ shoulders. That means Connor McDavid will have to do his heaviest lifting in the next couple weeks. He didn’t seem too worried about it after Thursday night’s win.
“Why in the big moments do we show up?” McDavid said. “I think cuz we’re prepared. I think we’ve prepared to be in this position for a long time. As I said, these are more normal positions for us now. The moment doesn’t feel big. It doesn’t feel anything other than a hockey game, and that allows you to make your play.”
The Florida Panthers seem to be just as strong, if not stronger, than last year’s Cup-winning squad. They’ll try to become just the 11th team in NHL history to win back-to-back championships.
McDavid’s running mate, Leon Draisaitl, was asked about the rematch after their win over Dallas.
“I mean, we know what they’re about,” Draisaitl said. “We played them seven times. They’re a good team. We’re a really good team as well. Obviously, it’s nice to get a shot at getting some revenge, but we’re a long ways from that.”
How motivated are the Florida Panthers?
Based on their higher regular-season point total, the Oilers will host the opening two games and have the initial home ice advantage during the series. The Panthers, however, have no trouble playing on the road. Florida has scored at least five goals in seven of their last eight playoff road games.
Panthers General Manager Bill Zito said his team is extremely motivated to repeat.
“We want to do it again. Like, you want to do it again,” Zito said. “So, what can we start doing now? Don’t stop. Don’t get content. I mean those guys, they woke up with 100 texts each from everyone telling them how great they are. Everyone did. And it’s not over.”
A franchise-defining legacy awaits for whichever team can come out on top. The puck will drop for Game 1 at the Rodgers Centre in Edmonton, Wednesday, June 4.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
