The Edmonton Oilers are on the brink of a historic Stanley Cup win as they head to Florida for Game 7 against the Panthers. No team in the NHL’s expansion era has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in the Stanley Cup final to win the championship, with only the 1942 Maple Leafs achieving this feat. The Oilers are looking to become the first Canadian team since the Montreal Canadiens in 1993 to win the Cup and secure their first championship in 34 years. The clock is ticking on the Oilers’ dynamic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, with Draisaitl having one year left on his contract and McDavid having two.
Despite avoiding elimination in three straight games and going 5-0 in such games during the postseason, the Panthers are determined to win the Cup after falling to the Golden Knights in last year’s final. Florida has lost three straight games heading into the decider but is hoping that playing on home ice will give them an advantage. Oilers’ head coach Kris Knoblauch remains cautious and does not claim the upper hand, acknowledging that both teams will be feeling the pressure in Game 7. Scoring first in the game is crucial, as the team that scores first is 12-5 all-time in Game 7 Stanley Cup finals.
In the previous three wins, the Oilers have scored first, giving them an early advantage over the Panthers. Knoblauch emphasizes the importance of scoring first, as it helps calm nerves and forces the opposition to play more aggressively. While McDavid has been a key player in previous wins, the Oilers managed to secure a victory in Game 6 without his contribution on the scoresheet. Edmonton’s penalty kill has been impressive, with the team killing off 46 of 47 penalties since their loss to the Canucks in May. Goaltender Stuart Skinner credits their success to good forechecking and solid defensive play.
Panthers forward Vladimir Tarasenko is the only player with Game 7 experience in a Cup final, with a 4-1 record in such games. Knoblauch acknowledges that both teams will be desperate and hardworking in Game 7, but also notes that there may be more mistakes in such high-pressure situations. The Oilers are looking forward to the challenge and the excitement of Game 7, as they aim to secure their first Stanley Cup in over three decades. The outcome of Game 7 will determine whether the Oilers can make history and etch their name into the NHL record books.
