The Stanley Cup Finals have reached a critical point as the Florida Panthers prepare to face the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 on Monday night. The Panthers opened with a dominant 3-0 series lead, eager to take home Florida’s first Stanley Cup title. However, the Oilers fought back with three straight victories to avoid the sweep and re-ignite their hopes for The Cup.
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Oilers Coming in Hot
The Edmonton Oilers are on the verge of making NHL history by potentially becoming the second team ever to win the Stanley Cup after losing the first three games of the Final. The key to this extraordinary run is Connor McDavid, regarded as one of the best players in the league and potentially one of the greatest players of all time. Winning the Stanley Cup would solidify his elite, generational status. McDavid’s performance through the playoffs has been exceptional, recording the most assists in a single postseason in NHL history. McDavid is the clear candidate for the Conn Smythe Trophy regardless of which team will win the Stanley Cup.
Edmonton has faced challenges throughout the series, particularly with Leon Draisaitl who has yet to score during the series. Draisaitl injured himself in round 2 against the Canucks and has been playing with a splint, this has left his contributions limited. If he can push through and find the back of the net it could provide Edmonton with a crucial boost needed to win game 7. Despite challenges with Draisaitl, the Oilers have remained strong, specifically capitalizing on their power play. McDavid has carried the team, and contributions from Evan Bouchard, Zach Hyman, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins have been crucial. Their collective effort has been vital in keeping Edmonton’s hopes for the cup alive.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 79 YEARS A TEAM HAS COME BACK FROM A 3-0 DEFICIT IN THE SCF!😱
— BarDown (@BarDown) June 22, 2024
The Oilers have a chance to win it all on Monday night👀 pic.twitter.com/hEqU5p5L76
Panthers Face Tough Challenge
The Florida Panthers have their sights set on securing their first-ever Stanley Cup Championship. Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky has emerged as a pivotal player for the Panthers, his performance has fluctuated dramatically throughout the series. Bobrovsky boosted an impressive .953% save percentage in the first three games, showcasing his potential to be a game-changer. However, his consistency has stalled, and in games 3-6 his save percentage lowered to .785%. This inconsistency has become a concern for the Panthers as they look to maintain their edge over Edmonton.
A Florida home-ice advantage is expected to play an important role in the last game of the series. The Panthers have shown strength on their home turf with a win percentage of 68% in the 2023-24 season. However, historically in the playoffs, the Panthers record is 28-26-0-0 at home, the Panthers will need to capitalize on their season record and turn the tide in their favor.
Forward Matthew Tkachuk, a key player for the Panthers, has had a limited presence in the series so far, contributing just one goal and two assists. His leadership and offensive skills will be essential in this last game. While the Panther’s star players may not have been able to capitalize on all of the opportunities they would have liked, the Panther’s roster depth has been outstanding throughout the series with 12 players recording at least one point.
Matthew Tkachuk this series:
— StatMuse NHL (@statmusehockey) June 22, 2024
— 1 goal
— 3 points
— -5 plus/minus
— 10 PIM
The most PIM by a Panther this series. pic.twitter.com/egq78akymp
Stanley Cup Finals Game 7 Preview
The Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers prepare to face off Monday night as the Stanley Cup finals culminate in a historic Game 7. For the Panthers, the opportunity to claim their first-ever Stanley Cup title. While the Oilers, seek to become the first Canadian team in 31 years to lift the Stanley Cup. Both teams have lots on the line, and Game 7 regardless of its outcome, promises to be one of the most exciting NHL games in history.
