Edmonton Oilers add intrigue to Stanley Cup Final by not touching Clarence Campbell Bowl

The Edmonton Oilers reached their second Stanley Cup Final appearance of the salary cap era, replicating their initial feat as the inaugural representatives of the Western Conference in 2006. Following a decisive 2-1 victory over the Dallas Stars in Game 6 of the Western Conference Final, captain Connor McDavid and his Oilers marked their Clarence Campbell Bowl triumph with a group photo, adhering to the tradition of not physically interacting with the trophy.

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McDavid’s action mirrored former Edmonton captain Jason Smith’s choice in 2006, when they clinched the Bowl after defeating the Anaheim Ducks in five games. This avoidance of the Clarence Campbell Bowl has emerged as a notable trend over the past 18 seasons.

Despite the Western Conference producing ten of the last 18 Stanley Cup champions, none have managed consecutive victories. Only the Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning, both from the Eastern Conference, have achieved back-to-back titles since 2006.

Edmonton Oilers add intrigue to Stanley Cup Final by not touching Clarence  Campbell Bowl

However, the Chicago Blackhawks claimed three championships within five years (2010, 2013, and 2015), while the Los Angeles Kings secured two within three years (2012 and 2014). Notably, the Detroit Red Wings are the sole Western Conference team to reach consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearances since 2006, splitting their victories with a win (2008) and a loss (2009) against the Penguins before transitioning to the Eastern Conference in 2013.

Despite the varied successes and transitions, there’s a consistent thread among these teams: the deliberate avoidance of touching the Clarence Campbell Bowl upon victory.

Year Team Touch / No Touch Final Result
2024 Edmonton Oilers No Touch TBD
2023 Vegas Golden Knights No Touch Win
2022 Colorado Avalanche Touch Win
2021 Montreal Canadiens* No Touch Loss
2020 Dallas Stars No Touch Loss
2019 St. Louis Blues No Touch Won
2018 Vegas Golden Knights Touch Loss
2017 Nashville Predators No Touch Loss
2016 San Jose Sharks No Touch Loss
2015 Chicago Blackhawks No Touch Won
2014 Los Angeles Kings No Touch Won
2013 Chicago Blackhawks No Touch Won
2012 Los Angeles Kings No Touch Won
2011 Vancouver Canucks Touch Loss
2010 Chicago Blackhawks No Touch Won
2009 Detroit Red Wings No Touch Loss
2008 Detroit Red Wings No Touch Won
2007 Anaheim Ducks No Touch Won
2006 Edmonton Oilers No Touch Loss

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