It all comes down to this. Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final will be held tonight in Sunrise, Florida where the Florida Panthers, who jumped out to a 3-0 series lead, take on on the red-hot Edmonton Oilers who have clawed back with three straight victories. This marks the first time since 1945 that a team has forced a Game 7 after trailing 3-0 in the Stanley Cup final.
Connor McDavid and crew were held in check over the first three games with Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky dominating in the net. However, everything changed in game 4 and the Oilers got their offense going, led by McDavid, while Stuart Skinner bounced back from a rocky start in the net.
In Game 6, despite holding McDavid scoreless, the Panthers fell behind early. Warren Foegele, Leon Draisaitl, Adam Henrique, and Zach Hyman all contributed to a commanding Oilers’ lead. Although Aleksander Barkov scored for Florida, Skinner and the Oilers shut them down. Two empty-net goals later, the series was tied, and momentum shifted to Edmonton.
The Panthers still have the tools to win but face immense pressure and the weight of history. It’s been 82 years since the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs overcame a 3-0 deficit to win the Stanley Cup.
The Oilers are on the verge of joining them, potentially completing the greatest comeback in Stanley Cup playoff history.
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 p.m. ET (ABC, ESPN+)