The year “1967” is frequently used in the seemingly never-ending debate between Oilers and Leafs fans.
However, that old chestnut has been temporarily replaced with “1942”.
The 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs are the first team in NHL history to overcome a 3-0 series deficit and win the Stanley Cup Final. That might be one of the few things Syl Apps and Connor McDavid have in common.
The 2024 edition of the world’s hardest tournament has come down to a single Game 7, after the Oilers rallied from a 3-0 deficit against the Florida Panthers.
Now it’s “winner takes all.” But how do the Oilers get the rest of the way to their ultimate goal?
This edition includes more information.
9 Things 9. I enjoyed returning to Edmonton this week to experience the excitement of the Stanley Cup run and catch up with media colleagues. As I traveled down 104th Avenue to Rogers Place, I was impressed by how much the Ice District project had transformed both the hockey club and Edmonton’s downtown. Would Game 6 have happened without it?
8. Regardless of what happens in Game 7 on Monday night, Kris Knoblauch is one of the best tales of the year. A rookie NHL coach enters with his team in last place and leads them to the Stanley Cup Final. Wouldn’t you believe the New York Rangers’ owners are furious that their own management team misjudged this player? You had him and let him go.
7. Speaking of which, will the Oilers make lineup changes in Game 7? I’ve been among those who believe that when Evander Kane is fit enough to be Evander Kane again, he should be reinstated. But I’ll admit that I’m waffling on my position. On one hand, I am certain that a healthy Kane makes you better. However, things have gone exceptionally smoothly for the Oilers. Ryan McLeod scored Friday. Dylan Holloway’s rating was +2. Derek Ryan had a 78% draw rate, among other things. Do you dare mess with success?
6. During the first two rounds of the Edmonton Oilers’ playoff run, I believe Leon Draisaitl had the best chance of winning the Conn Smythe. Evan Bouchard has also been suggested. And as the last round approaches, Connor McDavid has surged to the top of the list. But if the club is able to come back and win it all, does Stuart Skinner not deserve some consideration? Skinner is 10-0 in Games 4-7 of the playoffs, with a 1.50 GAA and a.940 SV%. Are you playing Game 7 without him?
5. The Coach’s Challenge on Friday night, which would have been the 2-1 goal, was the game’s turning point. I confess, it was a razor-thin margin. Who cares how close it was? That is largely immaterial. Those who did not like the call are overlooking an important point. The offside call is one of the most straightforward in the game. Many Canadians learn the rule when they are five: Did the man move the puck into the zone or not? Yes, he did. Nowhere does it say, “But it’s fine if it’s only by a little bit.” I will include this: Kris Knoblauch needed some large, brassy ones to accomplish it.
4. I greatly admire the work of hockey journalist Frank Seravalli. First, Frank is more than eager to put in the effort required to perform at such a high level. The really good ones put in the effort. However, Saravalli possesses the valuable gift of being able to clearly see things for what they are, rather than how the broader population perceives them to be. For example, I’ve written in this area about how good of an acquisition Adam Henrique was. Henrique is extremely intelligent and capable in all three zones and in all circumstances. And, as Frank mentioned Friday, Henrique now has two goals in the Stanley Cup Final.
And both were successful aims. That is why the club went out to find him. Ken Holland received some criticism for his deadline work. But the bottom line is that Holland’s wager on Henrique has already paid off handsomely.
3. Special offensive players can see things that the rest of us cannot. Their instincts are on a higher level. They have a unique perspective. That is why every coach worth his salt will exchange a little amount of defense for a player who excels at the most difficult aspect of the game: scoring. While you want them to develop into well-rounded performers, don’t try to transform them like Rod Langway or Doug Jarvis. I say this with all due respect to both of those men. They are all fantastic players with impressive legacies. To win, a team must have those kind of pieces. However, it is much easier to discover that type of player.
What makes the highly gifted individuals such valuable gems? They excel at the most difficult tasks. This is what distinguishes them as elite. That leads us to Evan Bouchard and Leon Draisaitl.
2. One of my few quibbles with Evan Bouchard is how much or little vigor he defends with. I may accept honest mistakes for the reasons outlined in the preceding paragraph. Hockey is a game of blunders. But Evan Bouchard’s effort level has increased significantly this postseason. It is now evident in the excellent play we are seeing from him in his own zone. Bouchard is even shoving men around, as evidenced by Friday’s Stenlund hit. We didn’t expect to see something like that. And Bouchard’s office speaks for itself. Leon Draisaitl had a tremendous two-way performance Friday. Two plays stand out.
One is the obvious, exquisite saucer pass to Warren Foegele for the 1-0 goal. Here’s an excellent illustration of the aforementioned guy (Leon) who excels at the most difficult tasks. However, I also appreciated the less spectacular Leon Draisaitl on Ryan McLeod’s empty netter. Draisaitl wins the race to the puck and then takes a hit along the wall in his own zone, making a defensive play that helped seal the victory.
1.The Edmonton Oilers’ last chance to win the Stanley Cup was Game 7 of the final in 2006. I lived in Edmonton at the time. So, like you, I see how something like this may only happen every 18 years or so. Rarely does a special team tie together a few cup victories. However, in today’s wage cap era, exceeding that threshold is extremely difficult. So, as Stevie Winwood famously sang, “while you see a chance, take it.” It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that most of these athletes wished for as children when skating on backyard rinks, which many of us did as well.
These players have spent their whole professional careers not only aspiring to those goals, but also attempting to achieve them. As a result, I believe the Oilers will play their best game of the season on Monday. However, I would not be surprised if Florida also brings it. Both clubs recognize how close and yet how distant they are from achieving their ultimate hockey objective.
