The last time the Edmonton Oilers were in the Stanley Cup finals was back in 2006. They were eighth place team in the west and the upset Detroit, San Jose and Anaheim to end up meeting the Carolina Hurricanes. They had a three to nothing lead, in game one, before their goalie. Dwayne Roloson got injured and was out for the rest of the series. Edmonton lost the series in seven games.

I went to every home game with either my wife or my daughter that year. My financial position now is better than it was then but I can’t even afford to go to one or two games now. I honestly don’t know how people can afford to go to these games. But that’s for another day.

The Oilers, if they win tonight, at home, will punch their ticket to the finals against the Florida Panthers. For the first two series, so far, they have come from behind to win the series. They have the chance to do it again if they win tonight.

Their window is closing fast. Draisaitl’s contract runs out, next year, and McDavid’s, the year after. Bouchard, when his current contract runs out, will want Darnell Nurse, like numbers. This team two years from now will not be the same team..

So, if Edmonton wins tonight, they will be in their first finals in 18 years. If they beat Florida, they will be the first Canadian team in 31 years to win the cup. I think a lot of TVs in Edmonton and in Alberta have the Oiler game on tonight.