Canadian hockey fans have been waiting patiently for the Stanley Cup to return to Canada. The wait might soon be over, as the Edmonton Oilers are in the Stanley Cup Final, reaching this stage for the second season in a row.
The last time a Canadian team lifted the trophy was on June 9, 1993, when the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Los Angeles Kings in five games. This era was marked by pop culture hits like `Jurassic Park` dominating movies, `Roseanne` and `Home Improvement` popular on TV, and Janet Jackson`s `That`s the Way Love Goes` leading the music charts.
For 32 consecutive years, the Stanley Cup has remained in the United States. The Oilers are now just two wins away from ending this drought. Their path to the Final included a strong run after trailing 2-0 in the first round against the Los Angeles Kings, followed by decisive five-game series wins against the Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars.
In Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, Edmonton earned a victory by coming back from a two-goal deficit, sealed by Leon Draisaitl`s overtime winner. They lost the next two games, leading up to a memorable and chaotic Game 4.
In Game 4, the Florida Panthers took a commanding 3-0 lead in the first period, threatening to put the Oilers on the brink of elimination. However, Edmonton staged a remarkable comeback, scoring four unanswered goals to take a 4-3 lead in the third period.
Sam Reinhart of Florida tied the game with less than 20 seconds left, forcing overtime. The outcome of overtime would dramatically impact the series. Fortuitously for Edmonton, Draisaitl was again instrumental; his pass deflected off a Panthers defender and into the net, leveling the series at 2-2.
Securing the final two victories will be the biggest challenge for the Oilers, but they possess the potential to end Canada`s long wait since 1993. Below is a look at the Stanley Cup drought for every Canadian NHL team.
Toronto Maple Leafs | 58 years
- Stanley Cup wins: 13
- Years won: 1967, 1964, 1963, 1962, 1951, 1949, 1948, 1947, 1945, 1942, 1932, 1922, 1918
Vancouver Canucks | 55 years
- Stanley Cup wins: 0
- Years won: N/A
Calgary Flames | 36 years
- Stanley Cup wins: 1
- Years won: 1989
Edmonton Oilers | 35 years
- Stanley Cup wins: 5
- Years won: 1990, 1988, 1987, 1985, 1984
Ottawa Senators | 33 years
- Stanley Cup wins: 0
- Years won: N/A
Montreal Canadiens | 32 years
- Stanley Cup wins: 23
- Years won: 1993, 1986, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1973, 1971, 1969, 1968, 1966, 1965, 1960, 1959, 1958, 1957, 1956, 1953, 1946, 1944, 1931, 1930, 1924, 1926
Winnipeg Jets | 14 years
- Stanley Cup wins: 0
- Years won: N/A
