Oilers embracing Edmonton’s playoff fever: ‘The excitement’s high’

Edmonton — one of the NHL's outposts with rabid support similar to what the NFL's Green Bay Packers experience away from the limelight in Wisconsin — is awash in orange and blue.

Mattias Ekholm got off the plane and headed to the pitch.

After the long journey from Florida to Edmonton — including a refuelling stop — the Oilers defenceman went to watch his son’s soccer game Wednesday evening.

“Comes running up to me and he goes, ‘Daddy, my teammate wants to meet you,'” Ekholm said. “We’re embracing it and it’s just fun.

Such is life when the city’s team is still playing as spring flips to summer.

Edmonton has battled back from a 3-0 deficit in the Stanley Cup final against the Panthers with consecutive victories to force Game 6 on Friday. Game 7, if necessary, would be Monday in south Florida.

The Alberta capital — one of the NHL’s outposts with rabid support similar to what the NFL’s Green Bay Packers experience away from the limelight in Wisconsin — is awash in orange and blue.

Office workers head out on their lunch breaks sporting Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl jerseys. Businesses have signs plastered over their windows in solidarity.

“It’s just amazing for the city,” Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner said.