Oilers roll past Panthers to force
improbable Game 7
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[June 22, 2024]
The Edmonton Oilers have saved their season with three
consecutive victories to push the Stanley Cup Final to Game 7.
Thanks to their 5-1 victory at home over the Florida Panthers on
Friday, the Oilers have their chance to claim Edmonton's first
championship since 1990.
"This is what we've all played for our whole lives," Edmonton's
veteran center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins said. "An opportunity like this,
I'm excited. I want to get it going, for sure, get on the ice
Monday."
Warren Foegele collected one goal and one assist, while Adam
Henrique, Zach Hyman, Ryan McLeod and Darnell Nurse scored one goal
apiece for the Oilers, who have erased a 3-0 deficit in the
best-of-seven championship series and forced a winner-take-all clash
on Monday in Florida.
Goaltender Stuart Skinner made 20 saves and also recorded an assist.
Edmonton will attempt to join the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs as the
only teams to trail 3-0 in the series and win the Stanley Cup.
The only other team to reach Game 7 in the finals when trailing 3-0
is the 1945 Detroit Red Wings, who coincidentally lost to the Maple
Leafs in 1942. Detroit forced a deciding game with three consecutive
victories only to lose Game 7 to Toronto.
"It's been a hell of a story so far, but at the end of the day, we
play to win," Leon Draisaitl said. "This is going to be the hardest
game for us. They're going to come out hard. They're playing at
home. We have to bring our game again.
"I'm really proud of the way we gave ourselves a chance; that's what
it's all about, but by no means is this going to be easy, a walk in
a park. This is going to be the hardest game of the series."
Aleksander Barkov notched the only goal for the Panthers, who have
been outscored 18-5 in the trio of losses. Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky
stopped 16 shots.
Edmonton staked a 3-0 lead through two periods before Barkov gave
the suddenly free-falling Panthers a glimmer, scoring 1:28 into the
third period to make it 3-1. However, two empty-net goals quashed
those comeback hopes.
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Jun 21, 2024; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers defenseman
Mattias Ekholm (14) controls the puck against Florida Panthers
center Sam Bennett (9) during the first period in game six of the
2024 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Sergei
Belski-USA TODAY Sports
For a team that had little hope just over one week
ago, the Oilers are on the verge of a dramatic title run.
"Obviously the moment gets bigger as you go further but it's just
another elimination game, right?" Hyman said. "We're comfortable
playing in these games. We've proven we can play in them and played
in a bunch of them."
Meanwhile, the Panthers must find a way to regain their early series
form. Their mental state must be of concern with the possibility of
becoming the first team in more than 80 years to blow a 3-0 lead in
the Stanley Cup Final.
"I'm not worried about what it is tonight," Florida coach Paul
Maurice said when asked about his players' psyche. "You suffered a
defeat, you feel it, it hurts. You lick your wounds and we start
building that back tomorrow. Who you are tonight means nothing to
who you're going to be in two days from now."
Where the Panthers will be is in a one-game showdown for the title.
"We're a confident group," Florida center Carter Verhaeghe told the
team's website. "They're here for a reason. We're here for a reason.
It's the Stanley Cup Final. They're a really good team and it's for
us to come back and respond next game."
--Field Level Media
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