The Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers squared off in an action-packed Game 6 of the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Final from Edmonton, Alberta. You knew one thing for sure, if the Oilers got the jump, the crowd would become a huge advantage. Prior to the contest, a couple statistics, as per the NHL themselves. The Oilers had never been defeated, on home ice, to see their opponent hoist Lord Stanley’s Holy Grail. Also, no team had come back from a 3-0 finals deficit to force a Game 7 in some 78 years. You knew something had to give. And well, the 78 year record was matched. The Oilers have forced Game 7 in Sunrise, Florida.
No team in the past 78 years has overcome a 3-0 series deficit to force Game 7 in the Final.
No team has ever defeated the Oilers in Edmonton to lift the #StanleyCup.
One of those things will change tonight. pic.twitter.com/nYZr4bXevN
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) June 21, 2024
One of the storylines ahead of Game 6, revolved around Leon Draisaitl, and his five points in past ten playoff games. Will Leon Draisaitl get rolling? He had just two assists in the final series before Game 6.
Game 6 was a high-event game. You could tell right from the start of the opening puck drop. And cue one of the Edmonton Oilers best players. On a turnover at the Oilers blueline, they attacked in transition. Furthermore, Draisaitl had seemed to be on a mission tonight of world domination. A true master of his craft, perfecting his saucer passes before practice yesterday. Draisaitl found Warren Foegele off the three-on-two rush, 1-0 Oil. Moreover, the Oilers need players outside of their stars producing, and it doesn’t have to be on the scoreboard. One underrated aspect of the Oilers overall is their physicality. Foegele is excellent at that aspect.
That Foegele goal was nearly all the Oilers needed, in having to protect against a third period lead. A disallowed goal, on an offside, that would’ve made the Game 2-1 just ten seconds after the Adam Henrique goal may well have been the turning point. However, the third period turned out to be an intense finish to Game 6, thanks to Aleksander Barkov scoring early. He made a tremendous individual effort in the Oilers zone, stickhandling right towards the goal to make it 3-1. However, it was not to be as a Ryan McLeod empty-netter would seal the fate of Game 6. Heck, Stuart Skinner even added an assist.
A Post-Game Review of Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals Between the Oilers and Panthers
The Florida Panthers had one major issue heading into Game 6, and that was how will they stop number 97, Connor McDavid. Head Coach Paul Maurice knew he would have to devise a gameplan, with the factor of not having last change at his disposal. Furthermore, it meant Gustav Forsling would need to elevate his game. Maurice would also have to factor in that McDavid has been double-shifting quite often as the games grew in intensity. That means he could spend some time avoiding the Panthers top shutdown d-pairing of Forsling and Aaron Ekblad. Or perhaps it was a solid left-wing lock, utilized by Vladimir Tarasenko‘s line.
Holloway came off the ice about one minute after Broberg from the optional, which also had McDavid, Perry and a few others for a short time. Holloway is 100% playing. The extras, Desharnais, Gagner and Carrick were still on the ice 15 minutes after Holloway was one his interviews…
— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) June 21, 2024
Speaking of coaches, and the strategizing genius of Oilers bench boss Kris Knoblauch. He has been able to masterfully navigate the ebb and flow of the game-to-game lineup changes. Whether that had been the insertion of Philip Broberg into the lineup, or very underrated, making sure the bottom-six forwards were being productive. It helped Mattias Janmark and Connor Brown turned into penalty kill aficionados in the Stanley Cup Final.
One last thought to leave you with before the Game 7 festivities begin. You could discuss the hit totals throughout the final series. Credit Edmonton in Game 3 to rise to the occasion, and actually out hit the Panthers. Game 4 was heavily dominated by Florida on the hit board, but Edmonton was too busy sniping on Bobrovsky. Florida plays a heavy game, but it appears Edmonton plays to win. Here are the hit totals in the season thus far.
- Game – 57-32 FLA
- Game – 37-30 FLA
- Game – 37-33 EDM
- Game – 49-29 FLA
- Game – 44-16 FLA
- Game – 43-21 FLA
What is for sure, Game 7 Monday night from Florida will be intense. Stay tuned with us for all the coverage, and hope you enjoy.
Main photo credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
