Edmonton Oilers Engage in Dramatic Battle that Emotionally Wounds
The 2024 NHL Finals presents a stunning comeback narrative that may signal the revival of hockey icon Wayne Gretzky's legacy. Yet, for Leon Draisaitl and the Edmonton Oilers, it's simply a "painful" setback.
In a span of 240 minutes, the Edmonton Oilers can still dream of the championship for an additional 240 minutes more, following their 0:3 deficit in the NHL final series. They clinch victories in Games 4, 5, and 6. Since 1945, no team has accomplished this feat. Their persistence takes them to the brink of the third period in Game 7. Nevertheless, their valiant effort ends in defeat.
Even the final whistle snuffs out the hope of spectators, experts, and the teams themselves, as they were inches away from penning one of the most captivating sports stories in North American history. The Panthers score the deciding 2:1 goal and revel in their triumph.
The Edmonton Oilers, the treasured Canadian traditional team, ruled the league in the '80s and bagged four Stanley Cups under Wayne Gretzky's leadership. Following the momentous trade of 1988, another championship was added, but then Edmonton was eclipsed into isolation. Between 1990 and 2016, the once-great franchise barely scraped a playoff berth. However, since 2016, renowned actors emerged, yearning for the Capital of Alberta's title.
"Tinseltown is not in Canada"
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl ascend to become the league's biggest stars, but they consistently lack the supporting cast for the championship. The season commences with an unexpected drama. The franchise accumulates losses like Oscar nominations for Meryl Streep, and by November, they possess the second-worst goal differential in the entire league. Yet, an unforeseen plot twist unfolds. Edmonton dismisses Coach Jay Woodcroft and, under Kris Knoblauch's new guidance, discovers the recipe for the successful season. They not only make it to the playoffs but also eliminate each opponent en route to the final series. It's an extended final series. The first three games against the Florida Panthers are lost by Edmonton, but they then win three games consecutively. Since 1945, no team had come back from such a disadvantageous position. However, a fairy-tale ending eludes them as the season concludes, and the Panthers emerge victorious.
Is this yet another disappointing cliffhanger for the Edmonton Oilers or their swan song? During the tumultuous season start, trades of the two superstars are perpetually debated. Even after the 2023 playoffs, Connor McDavid declared, "It's cup or bankruptcy, right?" - the title or their demise. The title was not attained in this year either. Yet, was this season their downfall? "We can't get any closer to it," Leon Draisaitl comments post-game. "But we can't buy that at the end of the day."
Prior to their disheartening finale, McDavid's award for the best performance is overshadowed. For the first time since 1995, a player from the losing team was granted the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Finals MVP. McDavid, with 34 assists in the playoffs, surpassed Wayne Gretzky's previously unattainable record. The debate intensifies whether McDavid's linemate is not already the best player of all time - before the 18-time All-Star Gretzky.
"The greatest athlete ever to have played"
For himself, he is the greatest athlete ever to have played, Draisaitl confesses, "he performs feats that people don't even notice. He single-handedly revived the team. I love skating alongside him. There's no player in the world who yearns for the Stanley Cup more than him." It was not meant to be, though. After the goal that made it 1:2 for the Panthers, the Oilers persisted with courage, fury, and desperation, reaching the equalizer within sight. But the Panthers' defense, which had waned with each game, held firm.
"We were obviously under pressure to conclude the whole thing after the 3:0 lead," explained Captain Aleksander Barkov. "It was upon us to finish it. Then we lost the first game, and they won two more. Edmonton played well." The Florida team, who had suffered a severe defeat in the previous finals with a score of 1:4, avoided a historic blunder.
Fittingly, Leon Draisaitl aimed to script history on that very evening when asked about his emotional state. "It's a heart-wrenching experience. It's been more agonizing for me, honestly," said the star forward from Cologne. "It hurts quite a bit right now. You're just a few plays away from winning it. Now you have to endure 82 regular season games again, good enough to secure another opportunity." If it's up to Draisaitl, no major modifications are required in the off-season. "Hopefully most of the guys will return next season."
If the Canadians manage to retain their star-studded cast for the following season, a different comparison will overshadow the sensational comeback story. McDavid still has two years left on his contract, while Draisaitl himself only has one contractual year remaining. The " Finale of The Oilers" in 2024/25 might not unfold like a Hollywood blockbuster, but it could still be a prosperous showing.
