Oilers keen to add another championship chapter to storied franchise
The Edmonton Oilers have a rich history.
This replication wants to add another memorable chapter.
Connor McDavid's overtime thing Thursday settled the first playoff Battle of Alberta in 31 times as the Oilers defeated the Calgary Dears 5- 4 to move onto the Western Conference final.
Edmonton won the Stanley Cup five times between 1984 and 1990 with brigades led by Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Paul Coffey and Jari Kurri.
The ballot made another final in 2006, but lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in seven games before missing the playoffs for 10 straight seasons.
And despite a canon featuring McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers had advanced to the alternate round just formerly in the star forwards' six former juggernauts until this spring.
Now they are featuring of returning hockey's holy grail to the Alberta capital.
" We are proud of the Hall of Fame people that have come through our association," Oilers interim head trainer Jay Woodcroft said after barring the Dears." We are proud of the different runs that the platoon has gone on throughout the times. But our platoon wants to contribute to that type of history.
" Our platoon is looking to make its own mark."
McDavid and Draisaitl lead the playoffs with a jaw- dropping 26 points each. The former put up 12 against Calgary, while the ultimate bagged an outrageous 17.
" We have had a lot of down moments," Draisaitl said looking back." A lot of moments where people were hard on us.
" We have not won yet. We are only half, but it feels good to take that coming step."
Edmonton now awaits the winner of the Western Conference's other alternate-round series between the Colorado Avalanche andSt. Louis Blues. The Avalanche lead that tourney 3- 2 with Game 6 set for Friday inSt. Louis.
" It was an important moment for our platoon," Woodcroft said of McDavid's Game 5 heroics." We are going to enjoy this."
The Oilers last made the third round of the playoffs 16 times ago when they defeated the Potent Ducks of Anaheim 4- 1 before losing the Cup final to Carolina.
Edmonton, which defeated the Los Angeles Lords 4- 3 in the opening round before this month, lost 9- 6 to Calgary in Game 1, but also ripped off four straight triumphs by a combined 19- 11 scoreline to clench.
" Lots of swings," McDavid said." Just hung in there all series and plant a way.
" That was really the moral of the whole series."
The Dears outgunned the Pacific Division in the regular season — seven points clear of the alternate- place Oilers — but were unfit to match the play of their parochial rivals.
Edmonton goalie Mike Smith outduelled Calgary counterpart and Vezina Jewel finalist Jacob Markstrom, while McDavid and Draisaitl had a clear edge over the Dears' stylish players, including Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk.
" They made it hard on us. we had to push back doubly as hard," Draisaitl said." It was a great battle.
" But I suppose it shows our trouble in our group, the type of guys that we've in our room, the resiliency to stick with it and get back to our game and take control."
So what was it like to take part in the first Battle of Alberta since Esa Tikkanen scored in overtime of Game 7 for the Oilers back in 1991?
" Special," McDavid said." The suckers were amazing in both structures — especially in Edmonton.
" The energy and vibe around the megacity has been amazing."
That is certain to continue with the Oilers and a addict base that is endured plenitude of spare times now just eight triumphs from the Cup.
" I am sure the people at home are veritably agitated," Draisailt said." But we are only half. We are veritably agitated. We are veritably happy, veritably proud of what we have achieved so far thispost-season, but there is further to be had for us. That is our ultimate thing.
" Be proud of it — happy — but we are getting ready for the coming round."