Why Oilers will finally end Canada’s 32-year Stanley Cup drought

Here are five reasons why 2025 is the year the Stanley Cup finally comes home to Canada — and why the Oilers are built to end the drought once and for all.

1. The NHL needs McDavid to win

Ten years into his career, Connor McDavid’s trophy case is stacked: five Art Ross Trophies, three Hart Memorial Trophies, a Rocket Richard and even a Conn Smythe. 

But there’s still one glaring omission: the Stanley Cup.

McDavid is the face of the league and arguably the most electrifying player of any generation. Like Alex Ovechkin in 2018, a long-overdue McDavid Cup win wouldn’t just be good for Edmonton — it would elevate both his legacy and the NHL’s global profile. 

It’s time. 

2. McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are rewriting playoff history

Yes, Zach Hyman’s injury is a concern. But the McDavid–Draisaitl duo should be illegal.

In their last two postseasons, they’ve combined for a ridiculous 124 points (31 goals, 93 assists) over just 41 games. That’s not just elite, it’s historic.

McDavid now ranks second all-time in playoff points per game (1.62) among players with at least 50 games, trailing only Gretzky (1.84) and ahead of Mario Lemieux (1.61).

Draisaitl’s 1.48 P/GP also ranks among the top five in NHL history.

3. The blue line is peaking at the right time

Edmonton has allowed just 1.90 goals against per 60 minutes this postseason — among the best of any team past the first round.

Mattias Ekholm’s return came at the perfect time, rejoining a steady D-core with Evan Bouchard and Darnell Nurse that’s defending hard and moving the puck cleanly. Trade-deadline pickup Jake Walman has also quietly added stability and mobility.

4. In Skinner we trust 

Stuart Skinner took heat after losing the first two games against the Kings. Then Calvin Pickard stepped in and went 6-0 until an injury opened the door.

In the last seven games, Skinner has gone 6-1 with three shutouts, a .944 save percentage and a 1.41 GAA.

If Skinner keeps this up, he could be the difference. In three wins during last year’s Final, Skinner posted a 1.67 GAA and a .942 save percentage— proving he can rise when it matters most.

5. Momentum and belief

After years of heartbreak, this Oilers team believes, and so does the country. Since starting the playoffs 0-2, the Oilers have gone 12-2. The swagger is real. The momentum is peaking. And the Cup feels closer to Canada than it has in decades.