The stage is set once again in Edmonton, where the Oilers are preparing for a chance at redemption in the Stanley Cup Final. After falling just short against the Florida Panthers in Game 7 of last year’s championship, the team has clawed its way back to the ultimate showdown—this time with home-ice advantage. Rogers Place will host Games 1 and 2, and potentially Game 7, as the Oilers look to rewrite their story.
This year’s playoff campaign has showcased a different Oilers squad. They’ve dominated the postseason, dispatching the Kings, Golden Knights, and Stars with just four total losses. And at the heart of it all stands Connor McDavid, leading the league with 26 points, followed closely by his linemate and longtime friend, Leon Draisaitl.
As the Oilers prepare to face the Panthers again, Draisaitl took a moment to share what a Stanley Cup would mean to McDavid. The message wasn’t just emotional—it was a window into the soul of Edmonton’s captain.
A dream years in the making
In a pre-Final media session, Draisaitl didn’t hesitate when asked about what this opportunity means to McDavid. “I think it’s everything he’s ever dreamed of,“ he said. “It’s everything that he ever put his work in for, that he grinds for, that he plays through injuries for.“
Draisaitl’s words reflect a deep respect for McDavid’s relentless dedication and sacrifices. As the spotlight burns brighter with each game, the two superstars carry not just personal ambitions, but the weight of expectations from an entire hockey city.
The burden and the embrace
More than just a teammate, Draisaitl sees the responsibility McDavid bears as the face of a Canadian franchise—a mantle that comes with immense pressure. “I don’t know if you want to call it a burden, but being the face of this franchise, of a Canadian franchise—yeah, he wears it and he embraces it. It’s what makes him,” Draisaitl explained.
One team, one city
Draisaitl also highlighted the bond between the players and their community. “They’re my best friends, we’ve been through a lot of bad years,” he said. “Hopefully, we can do it—most importantly for ourselves, but for the people of Edmonton, the fan base, the organization.”
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The Oilers’ journey hasn’t been easy, but it has been honest. Built on resilience and brotherhood, their path to the 2025 Final feels like destiny. Game 1 is set for Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET, and with it, the hopes of a city—and perhaps a country—rest on their shoulders.