For the first time in 18 years, the Edmonton Oilers will play in the Stanley Cup finals. A lot thanks to superstar Connor McDavid, who was behind the win in the sixth semifinal against Dallas.
McDavid scored one goal and one assist when Edmonton defeated Dallas 2-1 in front of the home crowd. With 31 points (5+26) he tops the scoring list in the playoffs, where Florida is now waiting in the finals.
Edmonton got off to a flying start and went up 2-0 in the first period, thanks to two goals in numerical superiority. McDavid started with a brilliant individual display before sending in a backhand to 1-0. Later, he played Zach Hyman to the 2-0 goal.
Dallas reduced through Mason Marchment in the third period, but Edmonton could - despite only 10 shots on goal throughout the game - eventually celebrate their final spot together with the home fans.
This will be the first Stanley Cup final in the career of captain Connor McDavid, the 27-year-old who was drafted first by Edmonton in 2015 and is now in his ninth NHL season.
One who has been in the final before is teammate Mattias Ekholm, who was on the losing side when Nashville met Pittsburgh seven years ago.
Ekholm, who was traded to Edmonton last season, now gets a new chance to lift the Stanley Cup trophy.
The blue-gold defenseman also praises McDavid, the team's great leader and star. About the 1-0 goal, Ekholm says:
The first final will be played in Florida, on Sunday night, Swedish time.
Schedule for the Stanley Cup finals (Swedish times):
Sunday, June 9, 02:00: Florida-Edmonton.
Tuesday, June 11, 02:00: Florida-Edmonton.
Friday, June 14, 02:00: Edmonton-Florida.
Sunday, June 16, 02:00: Edmonton-Florida.
Wednesday, June 19, 02:00 (if necessary): Florida-Edmonton.
Saturday, June 22, 02:00 (if necessary): Edmonton-Florida.
Tuesday, June 25, 02:00 (if necessary): Florida-Edmonton.
