Winning a championship often comes after several hard lessons have been learned. Historically, a number of NHL franchises have faced adversity before winning the Stanley Cup. For a few teams, this included heartbreaking losses in the final.

This current version of the Edmonton Oilers has an opportunity to follow the example of these successful organizations. On an instinctive level, players have to take all those difficult emotions around losing and transform them into something positive and powerful.

After losing in two of the last three finals, we’ll find out if the Oilers have learned what it takes. I wouldn’t put too much weight on the early 2025-26 playoff exit. The team had injuries to key players, was exhausted from long playoff runs, and was constrained by their salary cap situation. In addition, their penalty kill wasn’t functioning all year, and their defensive play wasn’t strong enough.

Let’s look back at previous Stanley Cup champions who have learned to win after facing adversity. All of these teams ended up winning multiple championships.

Oilers’ dynasty overcomes early adversity

The Oilers were swept in the 1983 Cup final by the powerhouse New York Islanders. Some of the team leaders and GM Glen Sather saw the Islanders in their dressing room after the........

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