Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has never been this close to playing for a Stanley Cup since the Edmonton Oilers took him with the first overall draft pick in 2011.
It’s been even longer for the franchise that has won the Cup five times.
Edmonton was right in the middle of a span of 10 consecutive seasons without even making the playoffs when Nugent-Hopkins was drafted. And while the Oilers went into this season considered a Cup contender, they were 5-12-1 in November and already had made a coaching change.
Now the Oilers go home to Rogers Place on Sunday night, in their 100th game this season, with a chance to wrap up the Western Conference final in Game 6 against the top-seeded Dallas Stars.
“The crowd’s going to be buzzing for sure. It’s going to be loud, going to be exciting,” Nugent-Hopkins said. “For us, it’s about controlling the emotions, playing within ourselves and just trusting our game is good enough to get the job done.”
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu dismisses President Biden's Gaza ceasefire drive as 'a non
Myanmar’s junta moves Aung San Suu Kyi to house arrest, report says — Radio Free Asia
Plane passenger lifts the lid on WILD conspiracy theories surrounding Denver airport
Rookie Keaton Winn throws six solid innings. Giants beat Marlins 3
My baby daughter was left with horrifying pus
Pentagon leaders press Congress for Ukraine funding, saying battlefield situation is dire
Noah Eagle picked by NBC as play
Things to know as courts and legislatures act on transgender kids’ rights
Bodine's home run lifts Coastal Carolina past High Point, into Clemson Regional final
Maui Fire Department report details how it was no match for unprecedented blazes
Mississippi officials oppose plan to house migrant children at old Harrah's Tunica hotels
Mother who promised Taylor Swift tickets to her daughter to celebrate finishing her A