As the oldest team remaining in the NHL playoffs, perhaps we’re forced to call the Edmonton Oilers the comeback adults.
Regardless of what you call them, the team is currently riding a string of five consecutive comeback wins heading into Game 2 of their second-round series against the Vegas Golden Knights, giving hope to a fanbase still stinging from the Oilers’ most noteworthy comeback — rallying from a 3-0 series deficit against the Florida Panthers last year before succumbing to the heartbreak of a Game 7 loss that was reminiscent of the 2006 Cup clincher.
Edmonton’s recent display of sticktoitiveness has not only solidified the Oilers’ standing as favourites to emerge from the Western Conference, it’s also given residents of the City of Champions hope this is the year the Stanley Cup returns to Edmonton for the first time since 1990.
Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch might be the least surprised of anyone at his team’s record-setting resiliency. Asked about the group’s mindset after clawing out of a 4-0 hole against the Los Angeles Kings only to suffer a last-minute 6-5* loss in their playoff opener, Edmonton’s bench boss didn’t waver.
“They never give up,” Knoblauch said. “They’re resilient and stay composed and focused on what needs to be done. They’re a mature group and can handle a lot of adversity. They’ve seen a lot and they don’t get too rattled when things aren’t going well.”
One week shy of his 40th birthday, no Oiler has seen more than forward Corey Perry. With nearly 1,400 regular season games and more than 220 playoff contests under his belt, the one-time Stanley Cup champion and two-time Olympic gold medal winner embodies the team’s comeback mentality.
Signed by Edmonton in November 2023 after a 16-game stint with the Chicago Blackhawks, Perry was expected to provide a little snarl and seasoning. However, after a 30-point regular season (his highest since 2021-22 with the Tampa Bay Lightning) Perry is delivering in the playoffs, scoring three goals and four points through seven games, including kicking off comebacks in Game 4 against the Kings and Game 1 versus Vegas.
On the blueline, John Klingberg might be the Oilers’ poster boy for their “never give up” mentality. Limited by hip injuries, the 32-year-old defenceman has only appeared in 42 regular season games during the last three seasons and was expected to provide little more than veteran presence heading into the postseason. However, with Mattias Ekholm on the shelf and 24-year-old Ty Emberson seeing limited playing time Klingberg has helped fill the void, playing nearly 20 minutes of positionally sound hockey in Game 1.
After 82 games the Oilers shuffled into the playoffs with a loaded infirmary and little evidence to merit contender status. Contenders are expected to win their division, or at least finish second, and the Oilers fell well short.
However, coming off their Game 7 heartache last year, the group got a well-deserved regular season pass. Plus, they’re beloved by a fanbase that still bears scars from the Decade of Darkness and has grown used to telling itself anything can happen in the playoffs. Currently getting healthier and more confident with each passing day, the Oilers are instilling a level of confidence Edmontonians haven’t experienced since the team’s dynastic days as they look to follow the Toronto Maple Leafs‘ example by taking a 2-0 series lead.
I attended a book launch on Tuesday evening and got a first period update from a 10-year-old boy in attendance, “Oilers are down 1-0.”
“Oh they can come back from that, that’s nothing,” his father said. “They’ll end up winning.”
The prediction was proven correct later that night, adding to the ever-growing story and seemingly impending glory of the Edmonton Oilers, the NHL’s comeback adults.
*Win or lose, a 6-5 score is a delight, bringing back memories of the 1972 Summit Series finale, Miracle on Manchester in 1982, Canada’s 1984 Canada Cup clincher against Sweden, all three games of the 1987 Canada Cup Final, as well as the 2009 Canada-Russia World Junior Championship semifinal that featured Jordan Eberle’s heroics with five seconds remaining to force overtime.
