The Edmonton Oilers are on the brink of a historic comeback after defeating the Florida Panthers in Game 6 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place on June 21. Key players like Warren Foegele, Adam Henrique, Ryan McLeod, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Darnell Nurse scored for Edmonton, while Aleksander Barkov scored for Florida. Oilers’ goalie Stuart Skinner outperformed Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky with 20 saves compared to Bobrovsky’s 16 out of 19 shots.
Edmonton has tied the series at three wins each after winning three consecutive games. Game 7 is scheduled for June 24 at Amerant Bank Arena in South Florida, where the Oilers could make history. Only once has a team come back from a 3-0 deficit to win the Stanley Cup, with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1942.
Edmonton turned the series around, outscoring Florida 20-5 since Game 3’s second period and not trailing in the last three games. On Friday, Edmonton led 1-0 after the first period and 3-0 by the second intermission. Florida scored early in the third period, but Edmonton sealed the game with two late empty-net goals.
Here are three reasons Edmonton won Game 6:
1. Depth Made the Difference
Connor McDavid had been crucial in Edmonton’s last two victories with four points each game, totaling a league-leading 42 points in the postseason. However, in Game 6, other players stepped up as McDavid did not score, and defenseman Evan Bouchard and forward Leon Draisaitl, third in postseason points, had minimal contributions. Edmonton saw goals from players across all four forward lines and defenseman Nurse, with McLeod tying McDavid for the team lead in Finals goals and Henrique scoring his third career game-winner in the Finals.
2. Florida’s Disallowed Goal Was a Turning Point
Henrique scored early in the second period, giving Edmonton a 2-0 lead. Florida quickly responded with a goal from Barkov, which was initially counted but then challenged by Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch. The goal was overturned due to an offside call on Sam Reinhart. This decision maintained Edmonton’s lead and shifted the game’s momentum. Knoblauch’s confidence in challenging the play was key, contrasting with Panthers coach Paul Maurice, who said he would not have challenged the call based on the available angles.
3. Edmonton’s Penalty Kill Shut Down the Panthers’ Power Play
Edmonton’s penalty kill was perfect, stopping all three of Florida’s power plays in Game 6. The Oilers have not allowed a shorthanded goal in eight consecutive home games, tying for the third-longest streak in a single postseason. Over the last 16 games, Edmonton has scored more shorthanded goals (3) than allowed power-play goals (1). Florida, which relied on its power play during the regular season and early playoffs, struggled in this series with only 1-for-19 success. Edmonton’s penalty kill, boasting a 94.1% success rate, is the best ever in a postseason by a team reaching the Finals. Their overall defensive commitment, including blocking 22 shots for three consecutive games, has been crucial.
If Edmonton maintains its strong defense, gets contributions from various players, and has some favorable bounces, they could celebrate with the Stanley Cup on Monday night.
