EDMONTON – “It was incredible to be in the rink in Game Six last year.”

Almost everyone who attended last year’s Stanley Cup Final echoes the same sentiment – the atmosphere was unreal.

When the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Florida Panthers in Game Six of the Finals, Oilers legend Mark Messier was on hand to take in the game.

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“The fans love this team,” Messier told The Hockey News in one of a select few exclusive interviews to promote the launch of a new “City of Champions” Limited-Edition can with Budweiser.

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“They love McDavid, they love Draisaitl, they love the players,” Messier said. “I don’t think I see as many jerseys being worn for any one team around the league ever.”

“I think they’ve etched their names and their personalities as people and as players into the fabric of Edmonton.”

The Oilers haven’t had the same season that they did last year. While they didn’t fumble as hard out of the gate as last year’s team did, it hasn’t been smooth sailing.

Not by a long shot.

Monday night’s game against the Los Angeles Kings is the club’s 81st of the year. They have a 47-28-5 record and 99 points, two points behind the Kings.

Last year, they finished with a 49-27-6 record and 104 points. They aren’t far from last year’s rendition in the grand scheme of things.

“I think everybody’s cheering for them (so hard) to win,” Messier stated, “to really bring it full circle – including me.”

The Oilers dynasty of the 1980s had four Stanley Cups to hang their hats on, while this generation of Oilers (Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Evan Bouchard) still has a goose egg.

“I was cheering so hard for them last year, and we’re just praying that they can get healthy, get back there, close the loop and win the Stanley Cup.”

It’s safe to say that every fan in Oil Country feels the same way as Messier.

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