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I generally root for generational talents in sports to win a title so that they have that on their resume, get to have that kind of success, and avoid a lot of the inane hot takes so common in sporting conversation. Also, I root for Canadian teams to win the Stanley Cup. Thus, it is not hard to figure out who I am rooting for in the Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers.
No Canadian team has won a Cup since 1993 when the Montreal Canadiens did it. While the Oilers were once a force in the NHL, they have not won a Cup since 1990, and since then have only played in the finals once, back in 2006. The Oilers also happen to have two of the five best players in the NHL, two future Hall of Famers. However, with all due respect to Leon Draisaitl, Connor McDavid is the star of the show. He is the best player of his generation. He is the best player since Sidney Crosby. McDavid looks increasingly to be the best player since Mario Lemieux. That’s how good he is. This is his first finals. Will he win his first Cup?
That would amazing, but it would also be cool if the Panthers win it all. Florida has never won a Cup as a franchise. The Panthers have played in two prior finals, including last year, but have yet to win it all. That would be cool…which is good because I think they will win it all.
The Panthers are a great team. Matthew Tkachuk is dynamic and is the heart of the team. Aleksander Barkov, the captain, is capable of racking up 70 to 80 points while also playing Selke-level defense. Carter Verhaeghe? He can score 40 goals. Sam Reinhart had 50 this year. The defense is also stout.
That’s where the difference is. Florida is a great defensive team, with a two-time Vezina winner, and a finalist this year, in Sergei Bobrovsky. The Oilers are playing in their first finals in the McDavid era largely because the team has struggled to get the proper depth, the proper coach, and viable goaltending. They may not have the latter just yet. Stuart Skinner had a .905 save percentage this season, and got pulled for Calvin Pickard during the playoffs.
Hockey is not basketball. Having the best player can’t take you as far. I’d love for a Canadian team to win the Cup. I’d love to see McDavid hoist it. I think the Panthers win this series in seven games. Ah well.
