For the first time since 2006, the Edmonton Oilers are in the Western Conference Finals. On Thursday from the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, the Oilers defeated the Calgary Flames 5-4 in overtime to win the Western Conference semifinals four games to one in their best out of seven series. With the win, the Oilers will play either the Colorado Avalanche or St. Louis Blues in the Western Conference Final. The Avalanche lead the other Western Conference semifinal three games to two, with game six on Friday night.
The Oilers were actually trailing the Flames 2-0 in the second period before marching a comeback and forcing overtime. In a prime example of just how much of an offensive series this was, there were four goals scored in a span of 71 seconds in the second period. Those were the fastest four goals in a playoff game in National Hockey League history.
The Oilers hero on Thursday was captain Connor McDavid of Richmond Hill, Ontario, who scored his first career Stanley Cup playoff overtime winner. It came from Leon Draisaitl at 5:03 of the extra period. The other Oilers goal scorers were Darnell Nurse of Hamilton, Ontario, Zach Hyman of Toronto, Ontario, Evan Bouchard of Oakville, Ontario and Jesse Puljujarvi. Draisaitl led the team in scoring with four assists, while Hyman was the only other Oiler with a multi-point game as he had one goal and two assists for three points.
