Oilers are favourites among final teams to end Stanley Cup Drought

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Sam Jones
May 22, 2024 (11:32)

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As the NHL playoffs progress, a remarkable narrative unfolds, heralding the promise of a new Stanley Cup champion and the end of enduring team droughts.

This season is particularly captivating as all four conference finalists�teams with histories of near misses and decades without a championship�are poised to rewrite their stories.

The contenders have not clinched the Cup since the 1990s, with the Edmonton Oilers bearing the longest wait since their last triumph in 1990. Despite a solitary appearance in the finals since then�against the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006�the Oilers have struggled to reclaim their former glory. However, this year, there is a palpable buzz around the Oilers, with fans and players alike hopeful that the championship drought will finally end.

The New York Rangers, another storied franchise, are making a robust push for the Cup. With key players like Filip Chytil and Blake Wheeler declared fit and ready, the team's prospects look promising as they prepare to face the Florida Panthers.

The Panthers, meanwhile, are eager to make consecutive finals appearances, a feat following their showdown with the Vegas Golden Knights last year. Their determination to go one step further this year is evident, aiming to secure their first Cup victory.

Lastly, the Dallas Stars aim to recreate their 1999 magic, when they last lifted the Cup against the Buffalo Sabres. The Stars' current roster is keen to replicate that success, setting up an intriguing clash with the Oilers.

As the first puck is set to drop in Dallas on Thursday, May 23rd at 6:30 PM local time, the stage is set for a thrilling series. This playoff season not only promises high-octane hockey but also the chance for one team to finally break a long-standing championship drought, captivating fans and shaping a new chapter in NHL history.