Miami: Three-time NHL MVP Honor McDavid and his Edmonton Oilers teammates will have support from across Canada when they face the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final.
McDavid will play in the first Finals of his nine-year NHL career when the Oilers travel to Florida on Saturday to open the best-of-seven championship series.
No Canadian team has won the trophy since the Montreal Canadiens in 1993, the longest streak since the institution’s founding in 1893. Since Montreal won, six Canadian clubs have lost in the final.
McDavid, the most active player in the NHL, won the top scoring crown last year and had a career-best 100 assists and 32 goals this season, leading the Players to their first Finals appearance since 2006 when they defeated Carolina in seven games. .
Along with Leon Draisaitl, who had 10 goals and 18 assists in the playoffs, McDavid led the Oilers to their first championship since 1990. McDavid led all playoff players with five goals and 26 assists.
Blocking McDavid’s path to the Island, however, is a deep and talented Florida Panthers team fueled by Finnish captain Alexander Barkov, who fell to Vegas in just five games in last year’s Stanley Cup Final.
“It’s going to be tough,” Florida State forward Carter Verhaeghe said. “They’ve got some special players there and they’ll definitely embrace that.
“Whenever you’re against the best players in the world, it’s always fun and challenging.”
The Panthers are the first team since the 2009 Pittsburgh Penguins to return to the finals after losing last year.
“We’re looking forward to coming back here,” Panthers linebacker Mati Tkachuk said.We’re very happy to be back – but the work isn’t done yet.”
Florida started two-time Vezina Trophy winner Sergei Bobrovsky as the NHL’s top goaltender. “The work is not done,” Bobrovsky said. “We have a great challenge ahead of us and we are excited about it.”
Edmonton counts with Stuart Skinner, who is 11-5 with a 2.50 GAA.
“I can’t say enough good things,” McDavid said of Skinner. “He learned a lot from last year’s playoffs and put it to good use. He’s an elite goaltender.
“Everyone is doing really well and we’re heading towards a good goal.”
Oilers face Panthers seeking Canada’s first Stanley Cup since ’93
