The Edmonton Oilers are back in the Stanley Cup Final for the second season in a row, and this time, they’re hoping for a better result than the bitter disappointment that befell them last spring.
They were defeated by the Florida Panthers in seven games. After initially falling behind three games to none, they roared back to life and won the next three games to set up a decisive Game 7 and give their fans hope for what would have been a historic reverse sweep.
But the Panthers ultimately prevailed in Game 7, winning 2-1 and capturing the first Stanley Cup in franchise history.
In addition to last season’s Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers, what were the results of Edmonton’s previous trips to the championship round?
2006 Stanley Cup Final: Edmonton Oilers vs. Carolina Hurricanes
The Oilers qualified for the postseason as the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference and enjoyed upset victories over the Detroit Red Wings, San Jose Sharks, and Anaheim Ducks en route to their first Cup Final appearance since 1990.
They faced the Carolina Hurricanes and lost goaltender Dwayne Roloson to an injury in the third period of their Game 1 loss. While the Oilers fell behind 2-0 and 3-1 in the series, they battled back to knot the series at three games apiece.
But their championship dreams came to a close in Game 7, a 3-1 Hurricanes win.
1983 Stanley Cup Final: Edmonton Oilers vs. New York Islanders
The Oilers’ first appearance in the Stanley Cup Final was not a success, as they were defeated by the rival New York Islanders. It was the Islanders’ fourth straight Stanley Cup win at the tail-end of their dynasty.
1984 Stanley Cup Final: Edmonton Oilers vs. New York Islanders
Speaking of Stanley Cup Final rematches, the Oilers once again faced the Islanders the following season. But this time, the future Hall of Fame core of the Oilers, led by Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Jarri Kurri, Paul Coffey, and Grant Fuhr, got the job done.
They defeated the Islanders in five games, winning the franchise’s first championship. Messier was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the postseason MVP.
1985 Stanley Cup Final: Edmonton Oilers vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Back in the Cup Final for the third straight season, the Oilers would continue their own dynasty run by winning their second championship in a row.
They defeated the Philadelphia Flyers in five games, with Wayne Gretzky winning the Conn Smythe Trophy.
1987 Stanley Cup Final: Edmonton Oilers vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Once again matched up against the Philadelphia Flyers in the Cup Final, the Oilers raced out to a 3-1 series lead before the Flyers would storm back and knot things at three games apiece, setting up a decisive Game 7.
Edmonton ultimately prevailed with a 3-1 victory, winning their third Stanley Cup in the last four seasons. However, it was Flyers goaltender Ron Hextall who won the Conn Smythe Trophy despite playing for the losing side.
1988 Stanley Cup Final: Edmonton Oilers vs. Boston Bruins
In what was Wayne Gretzky’s last season with the Oilers before a monumental trade to the Los Angeles Kings later that August, the Oilers earned their fourth Stanley Cup win in five years by beating the Boston Bruins in a clean four-game sweep.
Once again, it was Gretzky who was named the winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy.
1990 Stanley Cup Final: Edmonton Oilers vs. Philadelphia Flyers
No Gretzky? No problem for the Oilers, who faced the Boston Bruins and dispatched them quickly in five games for the franchise’s fifth Stanley Cup victory.
This time, it was Oilers goaltender Bill Ranford who was named the winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy.
