Connor McDavid, Oilers Beat Stars to Reach 2024 Stanley Cup Final; NHL Fans Thrilled

With a chance to advance to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in his career on the line, Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid refused to be denied.

McDavid set the tone early, scoring a nifty goal less than five minutes into Sunday's Game 6 of the Western Conference Final against the Dallas Stars and assisted Zach Hyman's goal later in the opening period to lead the Oilers to a 2-1 victory.

It's Edmonton's first trip to the Stanley Cup Final since the 2005-06 season and eighth in franchise history. The team will meet the Florida Panthers, who won the Eastern Conference for the third straight year by defeating the New York Rangers in six games. Florida is seeking its first Stanley Cup title in franchise history, while Edmonton is chasing its sixth overall and first since the 1989-90 campaign.

McDavid's early attack proved to pay dividends as the Oilers staved off a furious attack from the Stars, who were looking to extend their season by forcing a Game 7. Dallas out-shot Edmonton 35-10 in Sunday's contest. The 10 shots on goal by Edmonton were the fewest in a series-clinching effort in conference finals history. Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner was a brick wall in the net, finishing with 34 saves and one goal allowed in the third period.

Fans on social media were blown away by the effort from McDavid and the Oilers as they finally broke through to win a conference title:

McDavid already has a legendary career that includes five Art Ross Trophies, four Ted Lindsay Awards and three Hart Memorial Trophies. The only thing missing is a Stanley Cup title, and he put himself in a position to earn his first championship with a stellar performance on Sunday.

McDavid and the Oilers will meet the Panthers in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final on Saturday.