Since the 1993-1994 campaign, the one that followed the Habs’ last conquest, there are only 15 Canadian teams that have reached the final four of the Stanley Cup series. During this period, it only happened once that there was more than one representative of the maple leaf at this stage.
The Oilers, the Canadiens and the Maple Leafs have the most presence in the NHL’s final four since the spring of 1994. (Matthew Vachon)
We are therefore talking about a representation of 12.5% (15 out of a possible 120) of Canadian clubs among the last four contenders for supremacy of the National Hockey League (NHL). This is clearly below the proportion of Canadian organizations in the Bettman circuit, i.e. 21.8% (seven clubs out of 32 since 2021).
It’s even worse for the final when there are six (!) meager Canadian presences. The Calgary Flames in 2004, the Edmonton Oilers in 2006, the Ottawa Senators in 2007, the Vancouver Canucks in 1994 and 2011 as well as the Canadian in 2021.
A true laughing stock of the NHL for decades, the Toronto Maple Leafs are tied for first in the country with three runs where they have sneaked into the 3rd round of the playoffs in 30 years. It’s not normal to see a team with this reputation be at the 1st level in Canada in this regard.
This probably proves that there is no partisan base in the country that has the right to boast.
The Canadian is the last Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup and reach the final. He did it in 2021 when he beat the Las Vegas Golden Knigts in six games thanks to Artturi Lehkonen’s game-winning overtime goal. (pc photo/pc photo)
What explains such low representation in the NHL’s final four for three decades? Is the increased pressure in Canadian markets to blame? The growing number of clubs across America? Lack of luck?
To be quite frank, it is difficult to identify a specific factor.
Do the Oilers have a chance?
This year, the Canadian hopes are in the hands of Connor McDavid’s gang, the Edmonton Oilers. Winners in seven games of the “O Canada” series against the Vancouver Canucks, the representatives of Alberta will have to face the powerful machine of the Dallas Stars for the Western final.
Obviously, when a team counts on the presence of two of the best hockey players in the world, namely McDavid and his faithful German sidekick Leon Draisaitl, it has its chances of victory. Since the start of the 2024 playoff run, McDavid has been sometimes electrifying, sometimes discreet. He has 21 points, including two goals, in 12 games, but he is so good that we still expect more from him.
For his part, Draisaitl, even diminished by an injury, manages to perform small miracles. His production of eight goals and 24 points in 12 duels is enough to leave you speechless.
This is without forgetting defender Evan Bouchard, brilliant since the start of the 2023-2024 campaign, who continues his excellent work with 24:18 of ice time and 20 points or even Zach Hyman who stacks up the goals (11 in 12 games ) at a breakneck pace.
In fact, the Oilers only have one flaw and it is major. It is located between the two posts. While the offense and defense do a solid job, goaltender Stuart Skinner offers a level of play that is not at all worthy of a team aiming for the Stanley Cup.
Goaltender Stuart Skinner has been struggling since the start of the playoffs, despite only facing 23.5 shots per game. (PC, Jason Franson /THE CANADIAN PRESS)
With a goals-against average of 2.87 and a save percentage of 88.1%, Skinner caused a lot of trouble for the Oilers, even forcing the head coach to employ veteran Calvin Pickard against the Canucks.
At 32 years old, Pickard had not played a single playoff game before this year, playing mainly in the American Hockey League (AHL) since his professional debut (321 games). That says it all for Skinner’s play if a team has to employ an AHL veteran in the playoffs…
It’s not like the Oilers’ masked man is being tested to the limit as he’s faced 23.5 shots per game so far. For comparison, New York Rangers netminder Igor Shesterkin faced 32.4 shots as a starter. This gives an idea of the work of the Oilers defense.
No room for error against Dallas
If the Oilers want to win against the powerful Stars, Skinner will absolutely have to get his act together. The Texas representatives have a diversified attack, a solid defense and a goalie who gets the job done in Jake Oettinger (2.09 GAA and 91.8% save percentage).
The men of head coach Peter DeBoer, whose sixth appearance in seven years in the final four, have just eliminated the two most recent Stanley Cup champions from the playoffs, the Golden Knights of Las Vegas then the Colorado Avalanche.
They are there by right and, despite the accumulating injuries, they are more motivated than ever to win the second title in the history of the franchise.
If the Oilers want to stop them from getting there, McDavid and Draisaitl will have to continue to drag the team on their shoulders and Skinner absolutely has to be decent, at the very least. If these two conditions are met, Edmonton has what it takes to battle with Dallas.
This promising series between the Stars and the Oilers will begin Thursday evening.
