“We’ve waited all year for this, waited all year to get back to this moment, so we’re looking forward to it. Everybody’s excited, so it should be a fun one,” stated Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid ahead of their Round 1 Game 1 against the Los Angeles Kings. Once again, the captain of the Oilers is poised to pursue the Stanley Cup for his Canadian NHL team. And would you believe it? It appears that one of their key defensemen is officially set to participate in the upcoming postseason game.

On X, Jack Michaels shared, “Kulak in flight after welcoming a baby girl into the world—will play tonight.” A wonderful update for the Kulak family, as well as the Oilers! Just hours after celebrating the arrival of his second daughter in Canmore, Alberta, defenseman Brett Kulak made his way back to Los Angeles to participate in Game 1 of the first-round playoff series against the Kings.

Amidst the hectic travel and a significant emotional moment, Kulak has been officially confirmed in the lineup by the Oilers. The Edmonton Oilers faced a significant challenge with the absence of key defensemen Mattias Ekholm and Troy Stecher due to injuries, making his timely return all the more critical. Kulak’s dedication highlights the strength and complexity of the Oilers’ lineup as they pursue yet another significant playoff journey. You ask, how was his regular season?

Kulak showcased an impressive season, participating in all 82 regular-season games and tallying 7 goals and 18 assists, culminating in a total of 25 points, alongside a plus-minus rating of -7. This represented a notable advancement compared to his earlier seasons, during which he recorded 20 points in 2022-23 and 16 points in 2023-24. Kulak logged an average of 20 minutes and 32 seconds of ice time per game, delivering 28 hits and 118 blocked shots, highlighting his reliability on the Oilers’ blue line.

The Oilers’ defensive stability throughout the season can be attributed to his reliable performance and resilience. Only time will reveal their performance against the Kings, but did you know that a certain NBA legend has already forecasted the Oilers as the 2025 Stanley Cup Champions?

A bold prediction involving the Edmonton Oilers

NBA icon Charles Barkley shared some intriguing predictions for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. In the fierce rivalry known as the Battle of Ontario, he opted for the Toronto Maple Leafs instead of the Ottawa Senators. Clearly, Auston Matthews’ team excelled during the regular season. In the matchup between the Winnipeg Jets and the St. Louis Blues, he swiftly chose the Jets.

However, the narrative took a compelling turn when he opted for the Tampa Bay Lightning instead of the Florida Panthers in the Florida Derby. Did he end there, though? Not at all! Furthermore, the choice was made in favor of the Montreal Canadiens rather than the Washington Capitals. Barkley has forecasted that the Stanley Cup Final will feature two Canadian teams: the Edmonton Oilers and the Toronto Maple Leafs. What about the Stanley Cup?

According to the NBA legend, Connor McDavid is set to guide the Oilers to their sixth Stanley Cup victory. What makes this prediction so significant? More than three decades have passed since a team from Canada last clinched an NHL championship. During the 1992-93 season, the Montreal Canadiens, spearheaded by Brian Bellows, Patrick Roy, and Guy Carbonneau, suffered just four playoff defeats on their journey to clinching an unprecedented 24th Stanley Cup title.

Since that time, only a handful of Canadian teams have reached the final, yet none have secured a victory. The Oilers reached the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, ultimately falling to the Panthers in a decisive Game 7. But it seems that the Edmonton Oilers will be anticipating their redemption.