Last week, the Edmonton Oilers found themselves trailing the Florida Panthers 3-0 in their playoff series, becoming the 211th team in NHL history to face such a deficit. However, the Oilers managed to force a Game 7 after defeating the Panthers 5-1, making them just the 10th team in NHL history to achieve this feat. The excitement in the arena was palpable as fans cheered on the Oilers, who quickly took the lead with Warren Foegele scoring the opening goal. The Panthers struggled to generate offense, with just two shots on goal in the first period, leading to a 1-0 lead for the Oilers heading into the second frame.
In the second period, the Oilers extended their lead with Adam Henrique scoring early on, followed by Zach Hyman later in the period, putting them up 3-0. Although Florida managed to get on the scoreboard with a goal from Aleksander Barkov in the third period, it was not enough to mount a comeback. The Oilers sealed the victory with two empty-net goals, ultimately outscoring the Panthers 18-5 over the last three games after a slow start to the series. The crowd erupted in chants of “We Want the Cup” as the Oilers clinched a spot in the Stanley Cup Final.
The upcoming Game 7 will be a high-stakes matchup in Sunrise, Florida, with both teams vying for the coveted Stanley Cup. This is only the third time in NHL history that a team has forced a Game 7 after trailing 3-0 in a series, with the last instance dating back to 1945. The Toronto Maple Leafs were the previous team to accomplish this feat, completing the comeback in 1942 and narrowly avoiding defeat in 1945. The Oilers will be looking to secure their first Cup victory since 1990, while Canada as a whole hopes for their first championship win since 1993.
Notably, the last team in the Big 4 leagues to force a Game 7 after trailing 3-0 was the Boston Celtics in the NBA last year, although they ultimately fell short in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Boston Red Sox are the only team in Major League Baseball to complete a 3-0 comeback, with the Houston Astros coming close in 2020 but ultimately falling in Game 7 of the ALCS. The Oilers’ remarkable turnaround in the series has captured the attention of fans and pundits alike, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion in Game 7.
As the pressure mounts for both teams heading into the final game, the Panthers’ general manager was seen launching a water bottle in frustration as his team failed to close out the series. The Oilers’ resilience and determination have brought them to the brink of history, with a chance to secure their first Stanley Cup in over three decades. The outcome of Game 7 will determine whether the Panthers can bounce back from a heartbreaking loss in last year’s Final or if the Oilers will complete an improbable comeback to claim hockey’s ultimate prize. Fans will be on the edge of their seats as the final chapter of this captivating series unfolds.
