Edmonton Oilers, Connor McDavid Make Bold Decision After Advancing to Stanley Cup Final originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers eliminated the Dallas Stars 4-1 on Thursday, setting up a rematch of last year’s Stanley Cup Final with the Florida Panthers.
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In 2024, the Panthers got the better of McDavid and the Oilers, winning the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history in seven games. The Oilers are hoping this year’s Cup Final turns out differently, and their superstar, Connor McDavid, and the rest of their roster are trying things a little bit differently this time around.
After defeating the Dallas Stars last season in the Western Conference finals as well, the entire Oilers roster decided not to touch the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl. While the significance of the trophy has evolved over the years, the bowl has been awarded to the Western Conference champion since the 1993-94 season.
There is a long-running superstition associated with touching the trophy, and on Thursday night, McDavid and the Oilers made the bold decision to touch it on the ice after advancing to the Stanley Cup Final. That move directly contradicts what the Oilers did during last year’s postseason.
Since 1993-94, the Oilers have reached the Stanley Cup Final three times.
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In 2005-06, they didn’t touch the Campbell Bowl and lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in seven games in the Cup Final.
In 2023-24, they didn’t touch it and again lost in a seven-game final.
NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly and Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid pose with the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl after Edmonton won the Western Conference finals of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The Oilers have decided to take a different approach this year, as they’ll hope touching the trophy will bring them the good luck needed to win the Stanley Cup for the sixth time in franchise history.
Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final will get underway on Wednesday, June 4 at 8 p.m. EDT on TNT. The Oilers hold home-ice advantage over the Panthers.
Related: Connor McDavid Makes Big Zach Hyman Admission After Oilers-Stars
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.