Edmonton Oilers with a chance to win.

Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals is tonight, and the Edmonton Oilers have a chance to become the first team since 1942 to win the Cup after trailing 3-0. Also, they would be the first Canadian-based team to win since 1993.

This 30-year drought has caused much anguish in Canada (where hockey is the most popular sport). If the Oilers win, it will brighten the national mood. It could also help beleaguered Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who faces an election next year, and is 18-20 points down n the polls. He may even be in danger of getting dumped by his own party before then, if things continue to go badly.

Studies show incumbent politicians benefit from sports victories even if (as in this case) they do nothing to cause them. If the Oilers win, Trudeau can wrap himself in the flag, and try to reap the benefits. Perhaps he could even get Oilers star Connor McDavid (who is having the greatest postseason since Wayne Gretzky) to endorse him. Though a Canadian friend recently pointed out that Gretzky's endorsement failed to save Conservative PM Stephen Harper in the 2015 election.

To be clear, an Oilers win won't by itself save Trudeau. But it could net him a couple points, and create a bit of badly needed momentum. If the Liberal Party still loses (as is likely), they might at least lose fewer seats.