Pregame Oilers v. Panthers
The biggest game in recent years in the NHL is upon us. If the simple idea of a Game 7 is already grandiose, Monday night’s game will be of even more particular importance for certain main players in the Stanley Cup final.
On a collective level, the Oilers obviously want to cause a surprise that no one expected by coming back from a three-game delay. Few teams have achieved the feat and the Oilers have the chance to become the second team to do it in the final.
“It’s probably the biggest game in the league in a number of years,” said Matthew Tkachuk of the Panthers.
“There is no more exciting context for a hockey player,” said team captain Aleksander Barkov.
On a personal level, the spotlight will undoubtedly be on two names. Among the Oilers, the story will obviously revolve around Connor McDavid. Considered the best player of his generation, McDavid is still looking for a first Stanley Cup to add to his list of accomplishments.
On the Florida side, we especially wonder if head coach Paul Maurice will finally arrive at the Fountain of Youth. With a career spanning around thirty years as an NHL coach, Maurice no longer needs any introductions.
What’s missing from his track record, however, is the ultimate achievement of winning the Stanley Cup. He failed with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2002 and he missed his chance again last year with the Panthers.
Would a defeat on Monday night taint Maurice’s legacy?
“I’ll tell you at the end of the match,” Maurice replied Sunday afternoon, smiling.
Always calm at the press briefing, Maurice reiterated the confidence he had for his group at the dawn of the final match. Even though the Oilers have had leads of at least three goals in each of the last three games, Maurice believes that his group is strong enough to regain the upper hand in the series.
“The puck will be placed on the ice and the momentum will change as the game progresses. It’s even more true in the context of Game 7. No one has training the next day, there is no one who is going to make video. It’s a clean sheet, both teams fought very hard to get to the end. »
“We are good enough to win without dominating. »
Florida finds itself in a glory or shame situation, in game number 2464 of its existence.
The last time a club overcame an 0-3 deficit to lift the trophy was 1942 and the team was the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“It doesn’t matter how we got to this point,” Tkachuk said. Everything will be decided during a single match, at home. How can you not be exhilarated by it? This is an incredible opportunity. »
The Panthers were outscored 11-4 through three games, then Edmonton has gone 18-5 since then.
This will be the 18th time a final needs a seventh game.
The home team has triumphed 12 times, but the visitors have had the last laugh in the last three such matches.
“Everybody can do all kinds of analysis like ‘they have momentum’ and we’re in defense mode,” said Kyle Okposo of the Panthers. It comes down to the fact that we are going to be defined by the next game. »
