This was always going to be a long series,” the Edmonton Oilers defenseman told The Athletic after a 5-2 home-ice defeat to the Florida Panthers left his team on the brink of dropping a second straight Final.

While Draisaitl has ended the Oilers’ two victories in the series with overtime goals that gave him an NHL record with four in a single tournament, McDavid has beaten Sergei Bobrovsky once and has just four even-strength points in five games, one since Game 2.

More often than not, lifelong Edmonton Oilers fan Jacob Golka can be seen on game nights with his back to the screen and his hands hard at work.

A harrowing story from Jason Campeau, a former Iditarod competitor, has resonated with the Oilers during the playoffs.

The Edmonton Oilers are in a vulnerable position ... and it’s hard to judge which year will be more heartbreaking. The Oilers face a make or break decision ahead of Game 4 against the Panthers.