Oilers Force Game 7 in Stanley Cup Finals Following 5-1 Win vs. Panthers – Hockey Writers – NHL News
The Edmonton Oilers have officially done the impossible: there will be a Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Final after losing the first of three in their series with the Florida Panthers. It will start a do-or-die match for both sides.
As they did in both Game 4 and Game 5, the Oilers struck fast and early. Coming off of a spectacular basket pass by Leon Draisaitl, Warren Foegele extended his scoring streak to four games with a goal less than eight minutes into Game 6. While it wasn't the game-winning marker, it certainly set the tone for the rest of the game. meeting.
Adam Henrique doubled the Oilers' lead with a goal just 46 seconds into the second period, completely killing any momentum Florida could have made in the locker room at halftime. Scoring a goal on a 2-on-1, netminder Sergei Bobrovsky had no chance.
The Panthers actually responded with a goal of their own to cut the Oilers lead, but the play was eventually challenged and ruled out for offside. The call was very close, and had an undeniable impact on the entire game. With an eagle eye on the bench, Edmonton saved themselves with their tough challenge call.
Zach Hyman made it 3-0 for the Oilers, and at that point, the Panthers' chances of winning were gone. Aleksander Barkov scored just 1:28 into the third period, but time ran out quickly for his team. Ryan McLeod scored an empty netter for the Oilers late in the game, and Darnell Nurse added another for good measure. The final goal was in favor of the home team 5-1.
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Interestingly, the Oilers enter Game 4 on a three-game losing streak since Feb. 21 to Feb. 24 for the 2023-24 regular season. After this unfortunate incident, they won their next five tournaments. Edmonton now has three wins in a row, and they will be looking for a fourth in Game 7.
Connor McDavid did not register a point in this tournament, but he is sitting on 42 points in 24 contests. Sitting in fourth place for most points scored after a single season, one more would tie him with Wayne Gretzky's feat in 1988, and two more would tie him with Mario Lemieux in 1991. out of reach, but it's still notable that McDavid is only five points behind.
Game 7 will be held at Amerant Bank Arena in Florida on Monday, June 24. This is the first Game 7 Stanley Cup Final since 2019, and the second since 2011. Interestingly, the last time the home team won a Game 7 in the finals was the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006 against the Oilers. Next, they will get their chance for revenge with their sixth championship in history and their first since 1990.
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