The last time the Edmonton Oilers won the Stanley Cup, Glenn Anderson and Mark Messier were scoring goals and Connor McDavid wasn’t even a twinkle in his parents’ eyes.
Twenty-four years later, the Oilers are once again Western Conference champions and will compete to bring the Stanley Cup home to their hometown of Edmonton and all of Canada.
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Edmonton Oilers’ Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (No. 93), Zach Hyman (No. 18), Connor McDavid (No. 97) and Evan Bouchard (No. 2) celebrate after scoring a goal against the Dallas Stars during the first period of Game 6 of the Western Conference Final of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on Sunday, June 2, 2024 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via The Associated Press)
The Oilers defeated the Dallas Stars 2-1 in Game 6 on Sunday night, marking the team’s first Finals appearance since 2006.
“When the horn sounded, it was the loudest sound I’ve ever heard,” McDavid told Sportsnet after the game. “Honestly, we played in a special place. It’s full of history. And hearing the fans cheering was awesome.”
McDavid had a goal and an assist, and Zach Hyman also scored, both of which came in the first period. Goaltender Stuart Skinner stopped 34 shots.
“It’s not over yet. This is just a step in the right direction for us,” Edmonton’s Mattias Ekholm said.
Stars coach Peter DeBoer disputes the notion that his team was “lackluster” in their recent loss to the Oilers.
A shot by Dallas Stars forward Jamie Benn (number 14) is deflected by Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner during the second period of Game 6 of the Western Conference Final of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on Sunday, June 2, 2024 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via The Associated Press)
Dallas tried to get back into the game with a goal from Mason Marchment in the third period, but none of the team’s other shots were on target.
The Stars lowered goalie Jake Oettinger with 2:20 left in the game, but Dallas only had two shots the rest of the way.
“Proud of our team. Proud of the fight. Proud of the fight,” Stars coach Peter DeBoer said. “It’s just disappointing. They gave it everything. It should have gone to a Game 7 and it didn’t. You have to give Edmonton credit. Their power play was good, especially the last two games, their goaltending was good. It’s a delicate spot this time of year, but they’ve done a good job of overcoming it. … It’s tough to accept.”
Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (number 97) and forward Leon Draisaitl (number 29) embrace after defeating the Dallas Stars in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals of the NHL Hockey Stanley Cup Playoffs, Sunday, June 2, 2024 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via The Associated Press)
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Edmonton will face the voracious Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Finals, with Game 1 scheduled for Saturday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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