The Edmonton Oilers are one win away from a Stanley Cup title, a historic comeback and the first Canadian championship in 31 years.
As for the Florida Panthers, things just have to hurt right now.
With a 5-1 victory in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final, the Oilers became the first team in 78 years to force a Game 7 in an SCF where they once trailed 3-0. Game 7 is scheduled for Monday at 8 p.m. ET in Florida (ABC, ESPN+).
A win in Edmonton would make the team only the second in NHL history to win the Stanley Cup after trailing 3-0, joining the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs as the stunning Detroit Red Wings. In total, only four teams have overcome a 3-0 deficit, the most recent being the 2014 Los Angeles Kings.
The good news for the Panthers is that teams once down 3-0 are actually 5-4 in Game 7s, with the 1945 Maple Leafs holding off a reversal of fortune by the Red Wings. Of course, the lopsided nature of Games 4 through 6 likely means optimism is low on Florida’s side.
It was a familiar story in Game 6, with the Oilers taking a three-goal lead in the second period for the third game in a row. That started when Leon Draisaitl found Warren Foegele with a beautiful pass on a breakaway in the first period.
Edmonton took a 2-0 lead 46 seconds into the second period, but then controversy arose.
Panthers’ goal is canceled after a razor-thin offside check
Ten seconds after the Oilers’ Adam Henrique found the back of the net, Aleksander Barkov looked to get it right back with what would have been his second goal of the series.
However, the Oilers challenged the goal, arguing that Sam Reinhart was offside in front of the goal. Replays showed Reinhart’s skate completely crossed the blue line within milliseconds of the puck passing, but the officials ultimately decided it was clear enough to overturn the goal.
Panthers coach Paul Maurice was visibly furious after the decision was announced.
While the conversation seemed impossible on the ABC broadcast, Sportsnet had an angle that made the reversal more understandable.
The Oilers struck again late in the second period through Zach Hyman, putting the Panthers in a situation where they had to overcome a 3–0 deficit to avoid a 3–0 lead.
Barkov made up some ground early in the third with a beautiful goal, but that was all Florida would get. Edmonton’s Ryan McLeod scored an empty-net goal with 3:15 left to tie the game, followed by another goal from Henrique for good measure. The Panthers could have made things tougher for the Oilers, but they fell short on three power plays, continuing a streak of 46 penalty kills in 47 shorthanded situations for the Oilers.
To avoid humiliation, the Panthers must completely reverse their performance of the past three games. At least they can say this has already been done once in this series.
2024 Stanley Cup Final (series tied 3-3)
Game 1: Panthers 3, Oilers 0
Game 2: Panthers 4, Oilers 1
Game 3: Panthers 4, Oilers 3
Game 4: Oilers 8, Panthers 1
Game 5: Oilers 5, Panthers 3
Game 6: Oilers 5, Panthers 1
Game 7: Oilers at Panthers | Monday, June 24, 8:00 PM ET (ABC, ESPN+)
