This is not Corey Perry’s first rodeo.
Having turned 40 just two weeks ago, Perry is the oldest player remaining in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. And at his age, he’s still setting records.
On Thursday night, Perry opened the scoring for the Edmonton Oilers on the power play, en route to a 6-3 win that punched their ticket back to the Stanley Cup Final. The game opener marked Perry’s seventh goal of the playoffs, setting the record for most goals in a single postseason by a player 39 years or older. His goal also showed signs of Edmonton’s man advantage staying hot, as they tallied one power play marker every game in the series against the Dallas Stars.
With 10 points total, Perry is seventh on the team through 16 games played this postseason. He is tied for the team lead in goals with this year’s Rocket Richard Trophy winner Leon Draisaitl, who is over 10 years his junior. His seven tucks also has him tied for fourth in playoff goalscoring across the league, and first among players 30 and older. Seems age is just a number, right?
Perry is set to make his sixth Stanley Cup Final appearance next week, his fifth in the last six years, having gone with the Dallas Stars in 2020, the Montreal Canadiens in 2021, the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2022, and last year’s Oilers. Unfortunately, none of those have been winning efforts for Perry, with his only Cup coming in his first appearance in 2007 with the Anaheim Ducks. Perry also holds the record for scoring a goal with the most different franchises in the Stanley Cup Final, having done so with all five teams he’s appeared with.
Now, as another one-year contract with the Oilers ticks down, Perry is chasing the Cup in what could be his final shot at hoisting the trophy once again. Set to face a fast, physical Florida Panthers team hungry for a second consecutive championship, Perry and this Edmonton squad certainly have their work cut out for them. But after last year’s devastating defeat, they are sure to come out just as aggressive, if not more so, setting the stage for a very exciting Stanley Cup Final rematch.
And if all goes according to plan, Perry could pick up his second Stanley Cup ring, 18 years after earning his first way back in his sophomore season at the age of 22.
More must-reads: