Oilers one win away from Stanley Cup Final after Game 5 victory
The Edmonton Oilers are now just one win away from the Stanley Cup Final after capturing a 3-1 victory in Game 5 against the Dallas Stars.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins picked up two goals as the Oilers’ powerplay finally did some damage with a couple of markers. Philip Broberg also got in on the fun, scoring his first career Stanley Cup Playoffs goal in just his second appearance in the lineup during this run.
“I thought it was a big win tonight, everyone was solid,” Captain Connor McDavid told reporters after the victory. “We were dialled in. Everything, details, a lot to like about tonight.”
EK YA 😤 pic.twitter.com/PXlbXBZmEO
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) June 1, 2024
Goaltender Stuart Skinner was incredible between the pipes for the Oilers, stopping 19 of the 20 shots he faced tonight.
Ryan Nugent-Clutching
It has been a memorable playoff run for Edmonton’s longest-tenured player in Nugent-Hopkins.
After notching 10 points in the second round against the Vancouver Canucks, things had been a little quiet for the Nuge. He had just two assists to show for the first four games against the Stars.
That all changed tonight as he picked up two goals (including the game-winner) on a pair of powerplay markers. It’s exactly the type of night the veteran forward needed and it now has his team on the precipice of a Stanley Cup Final.
“He gets asked to do so much on this team,” McDavid said. “Tonight was big, he was awesome.”
PUT NUGE ON HAT TRICK WATCH! 🫵 pic.twitter.com/34nAxcKCpS
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 1, 2024
Oilers fans will be ecstatic to see Nugent-Hopkins have his moment.
Broberg makes an impact
Much was made about the decision to insert Broberg into the lineup ahead of Game 4 in Edmonton.
The 22-year-old Broberg had only played in 12 games with the Oilers this season and hadn’t played a hockey game in almost a month. Yet, two games after the decision was made, it looks like Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch is a resident genius.
“I’m just trying to play my game,” the young Swede said. “I was just trying to get it on net and it’s nice to see it go in.”
He has looked as comfortable as can be on the Edmonton blueline, adding a new layer of speed and mobility that Vincent Desharnais was incapable of. Now he has his first career NHL Playoffs goal to go along with it.
FIRST CAREER PLAYOFF GOAL FOR PHILIP BROBERG!! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/aOGBNLAPbB
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 1, 2024
With the results so far, it’s hard to believe that Broberg won’t be in the lineup for Sunday’s potentially series-clinching game.
On the verge of history
Oilers fans will have a chance to witness history when the team returns to the Alberta capital on Sunday night for Game 6.
A win on home ice would send the Oilers to their seventh Stanley Cup Final in franchise history and their first since losing to the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006. This would also be the first taste of the Finals for the likes of McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
To say that fans watching this win in Edmonton were excited to get that opportunity is an understatement. The Moss Pit looked absolutely electric.
First time above the Moss Pit in the @IceDistrict after a goal. #yeg #oilers pic.twitter.com/1eMVcjtE1S
— stacey brotzel (@staceybrotzel) June 1, 2024
The vibes in Edmonton will be at an all-time high on Sunday when Game 6 gets going with a 6 pm MT start time.
Follow Channels and Categories