May 26, 2022; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) celebrates his goal against the Calgary Flames during the first overtime period in game five of the second round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

With Game 5 of their series going to overtime, the next goal was going to do one of two things. If the Calgary Flames scored it, they’d narrow their series deficit to 3-2 and head to a Game 6. If the Edmonton Oilers scored it, the series would be over and they’d be onto the Western Conference Finals. The Oilers and their captain, Connor McDavid, opted for Door No. 2.

Just over five minutes into overtime, McDavid fired a wrist shot, which beat Calgary goalie Jakob Markstrom to clinch a 5-4 win in the game and a 4-1 series victory.

Hockey fans heaped praise on McDavid for not only his overtime winner but his brilliant postseason.

McDavid is indeed, a superstar. He won the 2021-22 Ross Trophy as the NHL’s leading scorer, won the Hart Trophy as the league’s MVP in 2021 and is one of three finalists in 2022. While the Conference Finals and Stanley Cup Finals have yet to be played, he has an inside track for the Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded to the Most Valuable Player of the postseason.

It’s hard to imagine a player making a bigger impact.

This goal put Edmonton into its first Conference Finals since 2006. That year, the Oilers defeated the Anaheim Ducks in five games but lost the Stanley Cup Finals to the Carolina Hurricanes in seven. Edmonton is still waiting for its first Stanley Cup Championship since 1990.

The Oilers are the second team to earn a spot in the Conference Finals. The Tampa Bay Lightning were the first, after sweeping the Florida Panthers. Edmonton will await the winner of the Colorado Avalanche vs. St. Louis Blues series. Colorado currently leads 3-2.

[NHL]

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