ESPN staffJun 24, 2024, 04:30 PM

It’s all up to this. Following the time that when the Florida Panthers opened with a 3-0 advantage over the Edmonton Oilers in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final Many believed that the game to be a foregone conclusion.

Then McDavid and his team dominated the Panthers with a score of 18-5 to tie the series to three games each, becoming only the third squad to ever in NHL history to achieve this at the Stanley Cup Final.

Are the Oilers complete the historic reverse sweep? Will the Panthers stay out of the mud? Here’s what you need to be aware of before puck drop tonight. It includes the stakes on each side, the key players to be watching and more advanced matchup statistics that are available from ESPN Stats & Information.

The Panthers were considered to be a joke throughout the team’s history. Florida lost their year 1996 Stanley Cup Final and then only made four playoff appearances but did not win an entire round over the following 23 years. It was a team that players were hoping to join at the final stages of their careers in a time where it was more about the conditions and less about the chance to beat the odds. The Panthers were accustomed to a venue that was crowded with fans who pounced on their tickets at the sun, a location not accessible in the majority of hockey venues. Perhaps a nice perk but not a solid foundation on which to build a vibrant culture.

This is what Florida is now experiencing, but. The GM Bill Zito has methodically crafted the Panthers into a genuine top-of-the-line team. He transformed Florida into an President’s Trophy winner and, when it didn’t translate into postseason successes, was brave enough to let his team’s most successful player ( Jonathan Huberdeau) in exchange for Matthew Tkachuk in an engrossing swap that could be disastrous for Florida. However, it did not. Zito has snatched up low-risk, high reward players like Gustav Forsling (off waivers) and Oliver Ekman-Larsson (post-buyout) who have played a key role during this dynamite season. If last year’s performance towards the Final was an accident, this year’s Final appearance was not a fluke. Florida was supposedly this great. The Panthers were supposed to reach this level and continue to show it through their performance through the tournaments.

If they let their chance to become Cup champions go unnoticed after a 3-0 lead in the series, that’s a snare in many ways. Florida will create a chapter in its story now, which five years ago may be viewed as a pipe dream. The only thing that is left for the Panthers today is: Are you prepared for this?

What’s going to be at stake what’s at stake for the Oilers?

In a nutshell, the legacy. Edmonton can be one of the areas where winning doesn’t matter. There has to be something more in the way that the team performed.

The Oilers not only won the five Stanley Cups. They also won 5 Stanley Cups in seven seasons. They didn’t just have excellent players. They also had some of the best players ever and one being among the best ever to play hockey. The winning of this particular Stanley Cup not only adds to their record and enhances it more. A team that went from being a standard team to being a cellar team is just a few wins close to returning to the top of the ladder It’s an opportunity to complete what will be the biggest return in NHL history, and possibly the most successful comeback in North American professional sports.

The most sombre reality may be that it could represent the Oilers’ most important and only chance of winning a Stanley Cup with Leon Draisaitl and McDavid as there is no guarantee that they’ll be back in the same position. Edmonton has been through the front office, coaching personnel, and philosophical shifts to try to win, with two generations of talent. The victory in Game 7 and winning The Stanley Cup would prove all these decisions to be right. It’s not that the loss of the Game 7 or winning the Stanley Cup would condemn every aspect of the franchise’s journey. However, it could raise further questions during a period that Draisaitl is entering the last term of his contract, as McDavid and McDavid are entering their 20s.

If they win Game 7, it will provide the Oilers the chance to claim they took the win regardless of the outcome. If they lose Game 7 will only make the way forward more difficult to navigate considering that they were so close. — Ryan S. Clark

Who is the one key player you’ll be watching for the Panthers?

Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporter: Sergei Bobrovsky. He was just one win away from winning his very first Stanley Cup and a Conn Smythe to having to answer questions regarding what went wrong with himself and his team. In the event of losing Game 7, or losing the Stanley Cup as a whole could not be solely blamed on Bobrovsky. The Panthers have been struggling to defend their territory and haven’t offered the amount of offensive support necessary to aid any goalie. However, Bobrovsky has also had issues that have exacerbated the Panthers issues. This all comes down to the reality that Bobrovsky is who is a two-time Vezina Trophy winner, would be among the players of a team who had a chance to win at the Stanley Cup Final only to be at the opposite side of one of the most devastating sporting collapses ever.

Victoria Matiash, NHL analyst: Carter Verhaeghe. Averaging minus-11 over the past four games. He’s had one assist in the opener of the series. Not so great. The top winger has just one more game to prevent his team from a infamous slump in addition to his own image as a highly effective playoff player. The players will forget the poor numbers that came in the event that Verhaeghe can make a difference in the moments that matter most.

Arda Ocal, NHL broadcaster: Gustav Forsling. As the Panthers went and gone, so has Forsling. He was +4 in games 1 through 3, and minus-5 in games 4 – 6. Can he fill that role of a shutdown during Game 7? Will he be able to stop McDavid the way he did the previous three games? Forsling is sure to receive flowers from fans of hockey and his contribution may not get the attention of media attention, but they are crucial to Florida’s victory during Game 7, and eventually lifting the Stanley Cup.

Kristen Shilton, NHL reporter: Sam Reinhart. Reinhart has been absent during the Cup Final. He has one goal and two assists through six games and zero points overall over the last three times Florida was in a position to take Edmonton away? That’s a remarkable performance for the player who scored 57 goals during the regular season, and scored twelve points over 17 playoff games in the lead-up to Panthers playing the Oilers. Whatever’s wrong with Reinhart to date the time is now to take it off his plate quickly. Florida has the best players to be able to match the quality of play Edmonton is getting from its players in this game.

Greg Wyshynski, NHL reporter: Matthew Tkachuk. It’s here, we’re. A chance for a star to experience a moment of superstardom. Tkachuk was tied the record with Aleksander Barkov as the team’s leader with score (22 points) However, you can think of how many games which Tkachuk was a major factor for Florida. We got a glimpse at this player during the Panthers losing Game 5 throwing the body, protecting brilliantly and scoring two goals. Then there were two efforts that were minus-3 which included Game 6, when his line-up with Sam Bennett and Evan Rodrigues was a huge failure. A playoff run that’s been more of a compilation than a the clutch is likely to be changed by a dramatic Stanley Cup Final Game 7. A sternum injury has cost him this chance to play in 2023 against Vegas. This is his chance.

Who is the one key player you’ll be watching for the Oilers?

Clark: Connor McDavid. His absence of one shot at goal at all in game 6 is a bit surprising, considering that he’s arguably the game’s top and most powerful player. However, it is also a sign of how the Oilers are able to be victorious even if he can’t make a shot or score even a point. We’ve witnessed the Oilers count on their entire team to ensure a Game 7. If they can pull off another game with a multi-point scoring performance from McDavid and add to the secondary offense and tertiary one they had in Game 6 and Game 6, it might be too overwhelming to taking home their very first Stanley Cup in more than 30 years.

Matiash: Leon Draisaitl. It’s strange to watch the Oilers lift the Cup following a seven-game series during which Draisaitl was hobbled and even worse but didn’t score one goal. Particularly considering his postseason experience along with the few quality opportunities. One of his past Panthers goalie Bobrovsky as well as an assist like Friday’s perfect passing for Warren Foegele for the first goal of the game in Game 6 could make a significant difference in making the right decision for Edmonton.

Ocal One obvious choice to this question is McDavid however, I’ll choose Draisaitl. He’s had three assists in this game, and that’s quite a surprise according to his high standards. The Oilers took their first win without McDavid scoring any points or shots in Game 6, however, the Oilers were able to push this game to Game 7 with Draisaitl as the 2nd-best player in the team, which normally is. He showed glimpses of his normal self on Friday and Saturday; but what happens if Monday is “The Draisaitl Game”?

Shilton: Zach Hyman. We don’t think Hyman isn’t under-rated as a matter of fact. However, he scored 16 goals during the playoffs (the most of any active player in one playoff season) He also tends to set the tone promptly and in a timely manner. This will be crucial to Edmonton during Game 7. Florida will be focused on stopping McDavid and Draisaitl. That will continue to allow Hyman the chance to show his talents. If the Oilers require consistent performances in any aspect of the game they can rely on Hyman to provide. In addition, he’s entertaining to observe.

Wyshynski: Stuart Skinner. If it weren’t due to McDavid altering the records, Skinner would have a legitimate claim to the Conn Smythe Trophy for his skill in the late series throughout every round. Skinner is averaging 10-0 with having a 1.50 goals-against rate and an .940 save percentage during games 4-7 of the postseason. Skinner is 5-0 against elimination in the postseason, making him only the eighth goalie in history to be able to win 5 elimination matches in one postseason. The Edmonton Oilers have won three times in the past the goalie has an 1.67 GAA and a .942 save percentage. A heck of being a Mario Kart player as well.

The final score will be _____.

Clark: 4-3 Oilers. One reason is that the score line shows the number of games that each team during the Cup Final. However, even with that forecast there are doubts. The Oilers have scored an average of six goals in the last 3 games against Panthers. Will they be able to produce another offensive flurry, or do the Panthers have found their answer? There’s a second question for the Panthers in this scenario: Will they be able to create the kind of consistency that lets them keep up with the Oilers or be forced to come from another significant loss in game 7?

Matiash: 4-2 Oilers. After predicting the Panthers to take the games five and six, I’m stunned that we’re actually in a position to predict scores for the game that will be the last-for-sure in the regular season. But give Kris Knoblauch’s staff the full credit for finding a way to work its back into this game. The positive vibes coming from Florida’s camp”feeling optimistic” and “feeling positive” and “feeling excited” were the words used to talk to the mediabut it’s not as convincing as it did earlier. Naturally, Florida’s Panthers have been outscored by 18-5 since gaining an 3-0 lead in the series.

Ocal 3:3 Oilers in overtime. This is because that’s exactly what the series requires. It’s been an amazing journey to arrive here. The highlight would be one of the goals to present the Cup.

Shilton 4-3 Panthers during overtime. Let me tell you, it wouldn’t be a surprise to me at all to see Edmonton can get its hands on an historic Cup victory in this game (and the power will be with them if that’s indeed the scenario; what a rollercoaster it’s been). In all likelihood, I believed (and predicted) that the Panthers would win this one out just two games ago. Yet here we are, in the Florida building where the Cup will not be leaving until it’s by one of the players who won the Cup. When you think of big moments -of the franchise-defining or career-defining kind — that’s it. The Panthers aren’t a reason to be disqualified. Last time, I’m betting on Florida an advantage of just a few points over Edmonton.

Wyshynski: 5-2 Oilers. I figured the Panthers would win this Series in Game 6,, because they excel when they’re taken out of the game and having to play as the underdog. There’s always a chance they can channel that feeling when they play at their home during Game 7. However, it would need a complete reversal for the majority of their team that has been beaten by the Oilers throughout the game. This is Edmonton’s moment. This is Canada’s moment. The Oilers are just sending this team to a seventh game, without having to rely on McDavid to be their captain and that should get the whiskers out of the Panthers. Edmonton is the winner of the Cup and creates sports history and smears this Florida team.

Notes from ESPN Stats & Information

Game 7 quick facts:

• The Monday game will mark the 18th game Seven of Stanley Cup Final history, and the first since the 2019 season (St. Louis Blues defeated the Bruins in Boston)
• Road teams have swept three consecutive Games 7s during the Stanley Cup Final; home teams are 12-5 overall.
• The Oilers will take part in their seventh game, the third during the Stanley Cup Final (defeated Philadelphia Flyers in 1987 but were defeated by Carolina Hurricanes in 2006).
• Edmonton will play at its thirteenth postseason game 7 in franchise history and the second time this postseason (defeated Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks 3-2 in Game 7 of Game 2 of the playoffs). Edmonton is 8-4 overall in playoff Game 7. Oilers were 8-4 all-time in their playoff Game 7s.
• The Panthers will take on the fourth game of 7 in the history of the franchise (2-0 on the road and 0-1 at home). The team lost at home against the New Jersey Devils in the 2012 conference quarterfinals.

Teams from the past to come from 0-3 down to tie the series 3-3

More on the Oilers

• Edmonton has scored 18 points in the last three games to draw the series even which was tied for second place in goals scored in a three-game period in the Stanley Cup Final. The Oilers stopped the Panthers to five goals in the period, resulting in an average goal differential of 13 in Games 4-6, tying with the 1984 Oilers (plus-13 against the Islanders in Game 3-5 to end this series) for the most goal differential over a three-game period during Stanley Cup Final history.
• The Oilers have improved to 5-0 in this postseason despite being eliminated and had the most wins in one postseason in the history of the franchise and equals the fourth-highest number of any team in the course of a single postseason. It is the only time that just the 2014 Kings who were 7-0 in the face of eliminationhave more wins without losing in one postseason.
• The Oilers have a history of recent success in all sports to their credit. The last time they won at home in the game 7 during the series championship of MLB as well as and the NBA as well as the NHL was in Miami Heat in 2013. Miami Heat in 2013. It’s six straight Game 7 wins by the road team (2019 World Series, 2019 Cup Final, 2017 World Series, 2016 World Series, 2016 NBA Finals, 2014 World Series). The current losing streak of six games in Game 7s throughout the World Series, NBA Finals and Cup Final by home teams is the longest streak ever. The previous record streak of four games was in the period between April 1974 (Bucks lost to Celtics) and October 1979 (Orioles lost to Pirates). It is also the longest span in terms of duration. The game 7 scheduled for Monday is 4,022 consecutive days since the Heat beat the Heat at home in June of 2013. The longest time gap before that was 3,286 days from October. 21 1973 (Oakland Athletics defeated New York Mets), and October. 20 October the year 1982 (St. St. Louis Cardinals defeated Milwaukee Brewers).

More on the Panthers

• The Panthers are aiming for their very first Stanley Cup title in their third try (lost in both 1996 and 2023) They are among eleven active franchises who do not have ever won the Stanley Cup. They are likely to become the fourth team to expand over the last 40 seasons to be the winner of the Stanley Cup, joining the Lightning (2004 and 2020-21), Ducks (2007) as well as the Golden Knights (2023).
• With a victory, Florida becomes the third team from the expansion era (post-1967) to be the winners of the Cup in the same year, despite losing in the final, along as in 2009 the Penguins as well as the 1984 Oilers. The previous season the Panthers were defeated by Vegas Golden Knights. Vegas Golden Knights in five games with a 9-3 win in the Cup final.
• It’s the 18th time within Stanley Cup Final history, with the home team sporting a the winning record of 12-5. The previous three games were taken by the road team which included the Penguins winning in Detroit in 2009 as well as the Bruins beating Vancouver in 2011, and the Blues winning against Boston in the year 2019. Don’t expect a high-scoring contest. The most goals a teams have scored during Game 7 in the Cup Final is four, and it was done five times, particularly in the case of the Blues in the year 2019. The most goals that have been scored together in the Game 7 of a Stanley Cup Final is seven in 1950 (Detroit 4, Rangers 3).