Connor McDavid envisioned this moment.
Growing up in the suburbs north of Toronto — whether it was the outdoor rinks, the arenas or on the street with friends — hockey glory danced in his mind’s eye.
Just like countless Canadian kids.
“You always dreamt of yourself playing in that game and scoring that big goal,” McDavid said. “You’re not sure you’re ever going to get that opportunity.”
After a roller-coaster season and a playoffs with plenty more twists and turns, the stage is set for the superstar captain.
McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers face the Florida Panthers in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final Monday — the last hurdle in an improbable journey this season.
A disastrous start to the schedule. Last in the overall standings. A coaching change. A near-record-breaking winning streak. Playoff pushback.
And a trio of victories after trailing the title series 3-0.
WATCH l Henrique scores winner as Oilers take Game 6:
Adam Henrique’s second period goal proved to be the winner as Edmonton defeated Florida 5-1 Friday in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final.
“It’s been fun to be a part of,” McDavid said. “The group has played some of our best hockey over the course of the last seven, eight days. We feel good about where things are at.
“It comes down to one game.”
Edmonton is looking to become just the fifth team in NHL history to win a best-of-seven series after trailing 3-0. The 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs — in the middle of the Second World War, some 82 years ago — are the only club to accomplish the feat in the final when they stormed back on the Detroit Red Wings.
The Oilers, who last sat atop the NHL mountain in 1990 when the franchise won its fifth championship, can also end the Cup drought for Canadian-based clubs dating back to the Montreal Canadiens’ 1993 victory.
“We’re all human, and we’re aware of the situation and what we’ve accomplished so far,” said Edmonton centre Leon Draisaitl, the Robin to McDavid’s Batman through their careers in the Alberta capital. “We have to focus on winning one hockey game on the road and play our best.
“All the stories will take care of itself after.”
Florida raced out to its 3-0 lead before McDavid took over in Game 4 and Game 5 with a pair of mesmerizing four-point displays.
The Oilers then picked up a 5-1 victory in Game 6 — the third time the Cup was polished and ready to be presented to the Panthers — at home Friday to send everyone back to South…
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