The 1993 Montreal Canadiens reunited to celebrate their Stanley Cup win, sharing stories and reminiscing about their championship run. Vincent Damphousse, their leading scorer, reflected on the journey, noting that it’s been three decades since they defeated Wayne Gretzky and the Los Angeles Kings.
Since then, no Canadian team has won the Cup, a drought the Edmonton Oilers can end by winning Game 7 against the Florida Panthers. Damphousse emphasized the importance of Canadian teams doing well, citing the excitement and engagement it brings to the country.
Brian Bellows, another ’93 Canadiens player, agreed, saying, “Everyone loves a Game 7.” Kirk Muller, who played alongside Damphousse, expressed surprise that no Canadian team has won in 31 years, but acknowledged the excitement building in Edmonton.
The Oilers’ potential win would end the longest stretch between Canadian Cup wins, with the team seeking their sixth Stanley Cup championship. Damphousse attributed the drought to factors like the salary cap and tax ramifications, making it harder for Canadian teams to compete. Despite this, the Oilers have built a contender around Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
As the series concludes, it will be a storybook ending either way, with the Panthers potentially bringing the Cup to South Florida for the first time or the Oilers ending the drought in an improbable comeback. Damphousse is cheering for Edmonton, calling the series “beautiful to watch.”