On this day, 19 years ago, one of the most iconic goals in franchise history was scored. The Edmonton Oilers are currently competing in the Stanley Cup Final, aiming to win their sixth Stanley Cup in franchise history.
Last year, I wrote about the players on the Edmonton Oilers who had the potential to be that year’s Fernando Pisani—a unheralded depth player who steps up to become a major contributor and factor in the playoffs.
In early March of 2006, the Edmonton Oilers sat in eighth place in the Western Conference with a 32-21-9 record for 73 points, only three ahead of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.
Let’s be real here, a 2-0 hole in the Stanley Cup Final is not where you want to be. For the first time in 18 seasons, the Edmonton Oilers are in the Stanley Cup Finals, and just like in 2006, they are down 2-0 after the first two games in the opposing team’s building.
NHL head coaches have to hire good assistants. They have to set an overarching philosophy, juggle lineup configurations, and do the kind of “man management” that is impossible to track statistically.
As the Edmonton Oilers play the final 18 games of the regular season, they have a chance to go on a run that will firmly put them in an enviable spot to open the NHL playoffs.
Even though we’ve passed the literal halfway point of the NHL season, the All-Star Break is always seen as the unofficial halfway mark of the year, and that has a few questions rolling around in my mind that I would love your help with solving.
January 8, 2003 — Local product Fernando Pisani makes his NHL debut with the Edmonton Oilers. With forwards Anson Carter and Mike Comrie out with injuries, the Oilers were in need of some reinforcements from their minor-league affiliate.