The devastation is settling in for the Edmonton Oilers.
After crawling back from down 3-0 in the Stanley Cup Final to force Game 7 versus the Florida Panthers in 2024, the Oilers squandered their opportunity at revenge, losing this year’s Final in six games.
It stings for everyone in Edmonton, for superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, desperate to hoist the Cup, for the fans who live and die with their beloved team, and perhaps most painfully, for Corey Perry.
The 40-year-old has now lost in each of his last five Stanley Cup Final appearances.
Last year, Perry became the first player to lose at that stage with four different teams. He lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020 and 2021 as a member of the Dallas Stars and Montreal Canadiens, respectively. He then joined the Bolts, but came up short against the Colorado Avalanche in 2022.
Now, he has lost in consecutive seasons with the Oilers.
Perry still has a ring, having captured one in 2007 with the Anaheim Ducks. However, this is the most prestigious trophy and the hardest one to win in sports, and anytime you come that close without sealing the deal, it leaves irreparable damage.
Perry has plenty of accolades to boast during his 20-year NHL career, highlighted by that ’07 Cup, and the Hart and Richard trophies in 2010-11. But, at this stage in his tenure, there are no guarantees he will get back to the Final.
He was an effective forward for Edmonton during this run, posting 10 goals and 4 assists over 22 games. Perhaps his hockey IQ and knack for greasy goals around the net will keep him near McDavid and Draisaitl.
Regardless, it is another crushing letdown for Perry.
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