Stanley Cup Playoffs postcard: At the Moss Pit in Edmonton

Throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs, NHL.com writers will be sending postcards from the eight first-round series. Today, staff writer Derek Van Diest checks in from Edmonton, Alberta:

Edmonton Oilers fans waited a year to get back to the starting line that is the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

With Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl leading the charge, Edmonton is in its championship window, according to general manager Ken Holland, and Oilers fans are anticipating a long playoff run this season.

Inside Rogers Place on Monday, the atmosphere was electric, and the party spilled outdoors to the Ice District Plaza adjacent to the arena. The plaza has been nicknamed the Moss Pit in memory of longtime equipment manager Joey Moss, who was born with Down syndrome and died on Oct. 26, 2020, at 57.

Moss’ influence is still felt in Edmonton with the Oilers playing “La Bamba” by Los Lobos, his favorite song, as their victory song in his memory.

Oilers fans also pay tribute to former anthem singer Paul Lorieau by belting out the Canadian national anthem in the playoffs. Lorieau famously held the microphone in the air as a cue for fans to take over in Game 5 of the Western Conference Second Round against the San Jose Sharks in 2006. Edmonton went to the Stanley Cup Final that season, losing in seven games to the Carolina Hurricanes.

Current anthem singer Robert Clark kept the tradition going in Game 1 against the Los Angeles Kings on Monday.

There has been a sense of anticipation for the playoffs since the puck dropped in October. Now the real fun begins.

Regards,

Derek