The Edmonton Oilers have finally done it. Edmonton defeated the Dallas Stars in Game 6 of the 2024 Western Conference Finals. As a result, they have advanced to the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. There, they will take on the Eastern Conference champion Florida Panthers.
The Oilers have had an interesting road to the Stanley Cup Final this year. Edmonton drew the Los Angeles Kings in round one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. And they made quick work of them. The Oilers defeated the Kings in five games to eliminate them from the playoffs for the third straight season.
In round two, the Oilers faced a Western Canadian rival. Edmonton took on the Pacific Division champion Vancouver Canucks. This series was much closer and highly contested. In the end, though, the Oilers came back from 3-2 down to win the series in seven.
Oilers defeat Stars, win West
The Oilers have one of the most dominating offenses in the NHL. However, their performance in Game 6 on Sunday wasn't exactly dominating. Edmonton certainly had their chances, but they were few and far between. Still, all they needed on Sunday night was a few chances.
The Oilers opened the scoring in the first period. Captain Connor McDavid scored on the power play to put Edmonton up 1-0. Later in the period, forward Zach Hyman scored his 14th goal of the Stanley Cup Playoffs to make it a 2-0 lead for the home team.
However, the Stars continued to push. They pelted goalie Stuart Skinner with shots. But the Edmonton puck-stopper simply wouldn't budge through the first two periods. In the third, though, Dallas finally got a goal. Mason Marchment scored as Skinner was caught out of position to bring the game within one.
The Stars continued to push for the goal that would save their season. However, that goal simply did not come. Skinner held down the fort for the Oilers for the remainder of the game. Edmonton won Game 6 and their first Western Conference championship since 2006.
Fans react to Edmonton's triumph
Fans took to social media on Sunday night after Game 6 went final. Many fans pointed out the performance of Skinner. The Oilers goalie has struggled at times in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. But he turned aside all but one shot in the decisive game to help win the Western Conference Finals.
“Stuart Skinner is absolutely stealing the oilers this game if you told me this like even two weeks ago i would have NOT believed it,” one fan wrote on social media on Sunday night. “Stuart Skinner is the only thing stopping Dallas from tying this game. Edmonton is lost,” another fan wrote.
“Skinner steals the game that gets them to the SCF. What a turnaround. Having a hot goalie as you enter the SCF is everything. And Edmonton finally has it,” a third fan said of Skinner's performance.
Some fans noted the team's overall journey to this point. The Oilers experienced some truly rough seasons between their last appearance in the Final and now. They have had a great team in recent years, though. One fan commended the Oilers for finally having something to show for their recent run of success.
“About time too, considering they've been stuck in neutral for a decade. Now let's see if they can actually win something instead of just making it to the finals,” they wrote on social media.
The Oilers have not won the Stanley Cup since 1990. And they can become the first Canadian team to win it all since 1993. The 2024 Stanley Cup Final is certainly going to be an entertaining series. Let's see who wins it all between the Oilers and Panthers.
Follow Us
Subscribe