Connor McDavid has long imagined this moment. Growing up in the northern suburbs of Toronto, whether playing on outdoor rinks, in local arenas, or on the streets with his friends, the dream of hockey glory was ever-present.
“Like many Canadian kids, I always fantasized about playing in that game and scoring that key goal,” McDavid reflected. “But you never really know if you’ll ever get that chance.”
After a tumultuous season filled with ups and downs, the stage is now perfectly set for McDavid, the Edmonton Oilers’ superstar captain. They face off against the Florida Panthers in the decisive Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final on Monday, hoping to cap off an improbable journey this season.
The Oilers stumbled out of the gate, plummeting to the bottom of the standings. A change in coaching followed, sparking a near-record-breaking winning streak that thrust them back into playoff contention.
“It’s been an exhilarating experience,” McDavid said. “We’ve played some of our best hockey over the past week or so. It all boils down to this one game.”
Edmonton aims to become only the fifth team in NHL history to win a best-of-seven series after trailing 3-0. The last team to achieve this in the final was the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs, who overturned a deficit to defeat the Detroit Red Wings.
The Oilers’ last championship glory came in 1990, marking their fifth Stanley Cup win. Another victory would end the 31-year drought for Canadian teams, with the Montreal Canadiens last winning in 1993.
“We’re aware of the gravity of the situation and what we’ve achieved,” said Oilers center Leon Draisaitl. “But right now, our focus is on winning one game on the road and performing at our best. The narratives will create themselves afterward.”
The Panthers sprinted to a 3-0 series lead, but McDavid’s brilliance in Game 4 and 5, where he tallied four points in each game, shifted the momentum. Edmonton’s solid defense and quality goaltending from Stuart Skinner have given them the confidence to believe, despite the odds.
Florida, meanwhile, is cautious of not being remembered for an infamous collapse. “The series is tied now, and it doesn’t matter how we got here,” Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk said. “It’s easy to forget what has happened; it’s about playing our game tonight.”
Edmonton’s aggregate score of 20-5 over the last ten periods is a testament to their recent form, underpinned by cohesive defense and Skinner’s consistency. The team’s belief is bolstered by having McDavid, widely considered the best player in the world.
“He can create magic on the ice,” Edmonton winger Corey Perry said of McDavid, a three-time NHL MVP. “He doesn’t just turn it on; he can suddenly weave through multiple defenders.”
Perry, the only Oiler with a Stanley Cup ring from his time with Anaheim in 2007, has faced heartbreak in recent finals. He remembers dreaming of such moments as a child. “You dream of being a hero in these situations,” he said. “Now, it’s a reality. Hopefully, someone in this room will be the hero of history.”
Florida captain Aleksander Barkov also resonates with this childhood dream. “Growing up, I always pretended it was Game 7 of the Stanley Cup playoffs,” he said. “Now, it’s coming true—this is the most exhilarating time to be a hockey player.”
The vast physical distance between Edmonton and South Florida—over 4,000 kilometers—somehow seems fitting for a series that goes the distance.
“It’s been a long journey,” McDavid concluded. “With all the highs and lows, and the lessons we’ve learned, this is a moment we’ve all dreamt about.”
Now, with just one game left, all the dreams and preparations culminate in what promises to be an unforgettable night of hockey.
