“These are games that we get up for, and we will tonight.” — Connor McDavid, about seven hours before puck drop.
McDavid did correct himself post press conference and clarified that he can’t make any guarantees, but he thought they would.
In hindsight, he should have left it as is and been the captain so confident in his team that two injuries — one season-ending — would not dissuade the inevitable.
A back-to-back Stanley Cup Final for the Edmonton Oilers.
In truth, they were that confident.
“It’s amazing, we put in a lot of work over the year, and a lot of guys (we’re) stepping up at different times,” remarked Leon Draisaitl post-win. “That’s a heck of a team over there. We’ll take it, very happy to move on.”
“I’m so happy with the guys, the way they played throughout the playoffs. We’re going to have to play really well for another series,” added Kris Knoblauch.
Before we get there, let’s examine how the Oilers closed out this one: depth, tight defence, and a sprinkle of McDavid.
It’s been said so many times during the 2025 playoffs that the hockey world is sick of hearing how valuable the Oilers’ bottom six have become alongside, not despite, their top two goal scorers.
But when Jeff Skinner scores his first playoff goal in 15 years immediately after Jake Oettinger gets pulled, and Mattias Janmark, Kasperi Kapanen, and Evander Kane score as well, it must be mentioned.
Do note that the game winner wen’t to McDavid.
“That’s probably one of the nicest goals I’ve seen him score,” according to Drasaitl.
In all seriousness…
“I think we just found our game, we found pieces in the right spot,” explained Draisaitl. “We had a lot of guys that hadn’t played a lot the last little bit, or at all.
“We started to find our stride, and then eventually just started to play good hockey.”
It was questioned whether the Oilers could respond without Connor Brown and Zach Hyman in the lineup, Mattias Ekholm playing his first game since April, and Skinner being thrust into only his second playoff game this season.
Their response?
48 hits, 50 per cent on the power play, 50 per cent on the penalty kill, 20 blocked shots and an improved 55 per cent on the faceoff dot. All areas of the game that Hyman previously touched.
If they weren’t already, it would be time for the Dallas Stars to hang their head in shame because just Thursday morning, it was Thomas Harley announcing that he’s “glad (Hyman’s) not playing.”
“Injuries suck, but he’s a good player. They’re a little bit worse.”
File that under quotes that didn’t age well, right beside missed opportunities — for the Stars, of course.
For the Oilers, it was the perfect response.
It signalled that they can win without key components against a team so desperate to keep their season alive that they would pull their best goaltender eight minutes into the game as an effort “to spark (their) group.”
Now that we’ve examined the game, let’s look forward.
“It’ll be a rematch,” explained Draisaitl. “We’re excited, we’re happy, we’ll enjoy this tonight and get ready for it.”
It’s not as if the Oilers are new to the type of series awaiting them on June 4; it has become the “status quo.”
“This year feels a little more normal,” added McDavid. “It’s been fun to be a part of, (but it) hasn’t been as emotional. It’s been very direct. Smooth and steady.”
This is perhaps a reason the Oilers were able to close out the Western Conference Finals in five games despite the question marks looming around the lineup for the past two games.
They knew what to expect and how to get there. If it took some emotional regulation, injury management, and lowered fan expectations throughout the regular season, then they proved they were willing to do so.
“Those games can be emotionally draining. We’re not drained. We’re a good team, we’re a special team, and we feel good about our game.”
Proud perhaps?
“That’s what it’s all about,” answered Draisaitl on seeing the smiles on his team’s faces. “It’s the guys that you battle with, the guys that you go through so many things throughout the year with.
“To see them that happy for guys that are new, guys that came in and helped us out, it’s what it’s all about.”
