Oilers keen to add another championship chapter to storied franchise

CALGARY — The Edmonton Oilers have a rich history.

This iteration wants to add another memorable chapter.

Connor McDavid's overtime goal Thursday clinched the first playoff Battle of Alberta in 31 years as the Oilers defeated the Calgary Flames 5-4 to move onto the Western Conference final.

Edmonton won the Stanley Cup five times between 1984 and 1990 with teams led by Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Paul Coffey and Jari Kurri.

The franchise made another final in 2006, but lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in seven games before missing the playoffs for 10 straight seasons.

And despite a roster featuring McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers had advanced to the second round just once in the star forwards' six previous campaigns until this spring.

Now they're dreaming of returning hockey's holy grail to the Alberta capital.

"We're proud of the Hall of Fame people that have come through our organization," Oilers interim head coach Jay Woodcroft said after eliminating the Flames. "We're proud of the different runs that the team has gone on throughout the years. But our team wants to contribute to that type of history.

"Our team is looking to make its own mark."

McDavid and Draisaitl lead the playoffs with a jaw-dropping 26 points each. The former put up 12 against Calgary, while the latter bagged an outrageous 17.

"We've had a lot of down moments," Draisaitl said looking back. "A lot of moments where people were hard on us.

"We haven't won yet. We're only halfway, but it feels good to take that next step."

Edmonton now awaits the winner of the Western Conference's other second-round series between the Colorado Avalanche and St. Louis Blues. The Avalanche lead that matchup 3-2 with Game 6 set for Friday in St. Louis.

"It was an