Just when it seemed as if the Oilers were headed for another playoff disappointment, they kicked into high gear and mounted a comeback to win their second-round series over Vancouver.
Even though the Canucks were the No. 1 seed and Edmonton could argue as the underdog based on the speed line, anything shy of a Stanley Cup Final appearance will be viewed as a failure for Connor McDavid and the Oilers.
Edmonton is back in the Western Conference Final, giving McDavid and company another shot two years after being swept by Colorado in the same round. The Oilers managed to turn their fortunes around in a matter of a few days.
Trailing 3-2 and on the verge of elimination on Saturday, Edmonton responded with a dominating 5-1 win in game 6. As impressive as they were at home, the Oilers were going to need to win on the road in order to move on and keep playing. And on Monday night, Edmonton proved they can impose their will no matter where the game is played, beating the Canucks 3-2 in game 7.
Knocking off Vancouver now means a date with the Dallas Stars, who defeated the recent champion Avalanche in six games. While the Stars pose a serious threat, the pressure is still firmly on Edmonton’s shoulders.
In fact, no NHL team has been perpetually facing more pressure than the Oilers. After losing to the eventual champion Vegas Golden Knights last year, Edmonton entered this season with the hockey world wondering how it would respond.
While requiring a conference title at minimum may sound unreasonable, it’s the reality for any team with a generational player who has been knocking on the door for so long. There’s also a real possibility this could finally be Edmonton’s year.
However, there’s also reason for concern despite winning. It’s hard to believe the Oilers can win a championship without a signature playoff performance from McDavid. That doesn’t necessarily mean McDavid’s been struggling though, it’s just taking note that he’s only netted two goals through 12 games so far.
Is it a good sign McDavid hasn’t had to carry the load like in postseasons of the past or should fans be worried because a nagging injury has caused him to play as more of a point guard?
McDavid does have 21 playoff points, but 19 of those points have come as assists. He’s failed to hammer home a goal since game 2 against Vancouver on May 10. When Edmonton advanced this far in 2022, McDavid finished that postseason with 10 goals for 33 in 16 games.
In reality, the only thing that matters at this point is winning. The Stanley Cup Playoffs are all about surviving and advancing. Dallas is now the next obstacle standing in the way of Edmonton and McDavid being able to play for a chance to lift Lord Stanley’s Cup and bring hockey’s holy grail back to Canada.
Fair or not, McDavid needs to get the Oilers to the Final for the first time since 2006 and then win the franchise their first Stanley Cup since 1990 in order for his legacy to ever be celebrated to the level he deserves.
