In Canada, ice hockey is almost like a religion, and that’s why the long streak of 32 years without winning the Stanley Cup, the trophy of the NHL champions, is a national topic where even the country’s prime minister has something to say.
On Tuesday night, the Edmonton Oilers became the latest Canadian team to fail in their quest for the coveted title after losing in the 2024-2025 season finals 4-2 to the Florida Panthers. The team from the Miami metropolitan area won 5-1 in the sixth game played in Sunrise.
The last Canadian championship is from 1993, when the powerful Montreal Canadiens defeated the Los Angeles Kings.
The setback also means the second consecutive defeat for Edmonton in a league final, a doubly bitter pill for one of the historic franchises of North American hockey. The Oilers become the first organization to lose two consecutive finals (both against Florida) since the Boston Bruins in the 1977 and 1978 seasons.
No reward for Edmonton’s efforts
Despite the collective effort, McDavid acknowledged the lack of offensive creativity as a key factor in the defeat. “We never managed to generate momentum on offense. We kept trying the same thing over and over again, hitting a wall,” he said to the media.
McDavid was distinguished last year with the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Most Valuable Player of the playoffs, which increases the contrast between the expectations generated and the outcome of this new season.
Canada still can’t break the curse
The balance for Canadian teams in finals since 1993 is concerning: this is the eighth occasion in which they reach the final stage without achieving glory. A notable contrast when considering the country’s rich history in this sport. Legends like Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, or Gordie Howe continue to be symbols of a glorious past that seems increasingly distant.
Although the national teams, both male and female, have won a total of 14 gold medals in the Olympic Games, success has not been replicated in the club level within the NHL.
In the midst of disappointment, Prime Minister Mark Carney chose to convey a positive message through his social media, highlighting the fighting spirit of the team. “Proud of the Oilers’ grit. Proud of the guys for getting us to this moment. Heads high,” he wrote. And he added an implicit promise: “Next year.”