Event: NHL Stanley Cup Final Game 7
Date: Monday, June 24
Teams: Edmonton Oilers vs. Florida Panthers
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Location: Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, FL
Get ready for an exciting Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Final, the first since 2019, as the Florida Panthers take on the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena.
Historical Context
This is only the third time in NHL history that a team has forced a Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Final after trailing 3-0 in the series. The last instance was in 1945 when the Toronto Maple Leafs won Game 7 against the Detroit Red Wings after losing the first three games.
The Oilers are on the verge of a rare feat, aiming to become only the second team in history to win the Stanley Cup after four consecutive victories following a 3-0 deficit.
Edmonton Oilers
As we anticipate this thrilling Game 7, both teams have compelling cases for victory. A week ago, the Oilers seemed out of contention, but now they’re one game away from achieving their dreams.
The Oilers are the tenth team in 211 attempts to push a series to Game 7 after being down 0-3. Historically, only four teams have completed such a comeback, with the Los Angeles Kings being the last to do so in 2014.
Despite the Panthers’ initial 3-0 series lead, the Oilers have often outplayed them, winning the expected goals battle in four of the six games and performing well even in their losses in Games 1 and 3.
Key to their resurgence has been the play of Connor McDavid and Connor Brown. McDavid set a record with eight points in two games, while Brown’s critical shorthanded goals in Games 4 and 5 reignited the team. Goalie Stuart Skinner has also been crucial, winning all ten of his postseason appearances from Games 4 through 7, and the Oilers have outscored opponents 41-13 in these matches.
Florida Panthers
The Panthers’ offense has struggled recently, managing only five goals in the last 10 periods. Key forwards have been underperforming, with Carter Verhaeghe not scoring since Game 1 and Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Reinhart each scoring just once in the series.
Historically, the Panthers are 2-1 in Game 7s, while the Oilers have an 8-4 record, including 1-1 in Stanley Cup Final Game 7s. The last time a Game 7 occurred in the Cup Final, the St. Louis Blues defeated the Boston Bruins on the road in 2019, continuing a trend of road teams winning the last three such games.
Key Players and Predictions
Sergei Bobrovsky was pivotal in the Panthers’ Game 1 win with 32 saves in a shutout and continued to perform well despite the Oilers’ dominance. His standout performance initially made him a Conn Smythe Trophy frontrunner.
However, the Oilers have shown resilience, and their ability to win a road Game 7 during this playoff series in Vancouver is noteworthy. While the Panthers are expected to fight hard, the Oilers appear to be the better bet to complete the historic comeback and become the fifth team to do so.
