- What: NHL Stanley Cup Final Game 7
- When: Monday, June 24
- Who: Edmonton Oilers vs. Florida Panthers
- Tip-Off: 8:00 p.m. ET
- Where: Amerant Bank Arena (Sunrise, FL)
Get ready for the first Game 7 of a Stanley Cup Final since 2019 as the Florida Panthers face the Edmonton Oilers on Monday at Amerant Bank Arena.
History is being made. This is only the third time in NHL history that a Stanley Cup Final has reached Game 7 after a team initially led the series 3-0.
IT. ALL. COMES. DOWN. TO. THIS. ????
Who will win the #StanleyCup?
????: @EdmontonOilers vs. @FlaPanthers #Game7 TONIGHT at 8p ET on ABC, @ESPNPlus, @Sportsnet, Sportsnet+, and @TVASports pic.twitter.com/5KA4MMbFrS
— NHL (@NHL) June 24, 2024
The most recent instance was in 1945 when the Toronto Maple Leafs won Game 7 against the Detroit Red Wings after losing three straight.
The Panthers aim to replicate that scenario, but the Oilers are on the brink of a rare achievement. They seek to become the second team in history to win four consecutive games and claim the Stanley Cup.
Edmonton Oilers
As we approach the most thrilling and nerve-wracking sports event, Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, compelling arguments can be made for both teams.
A week ago, the Oilers seemed finished, given little chance to even force a Game 6. Now, they’re on the brink of fulfilling their dreams.
The Oilers are just the tenth team in 211 attempts to overcome a 0-3 series deficit to force a Game 7.
However, history shows that only four out of the previous nine teams in this situation completed the comeback, with the Los Angeles Kings being the last to achieve this in 2014, eventually winning the Stanley Cup.
The Panthers’ 3-0 series lead didn’t accurately reflect the on-ice action.
The city of Edmonton has been waiting for this moment. ???????? #StanleyCup
????: @EdmontonOilers vs. @FlaPanthers #Game7 TONIGHT at 8p ET on ABC, @ESPNPlus, @Sportsnet, Sportsnet+, and @TVASports
(????: TikTok/kmoorephotos) pic.twitter.com/C4I4DBs7SG
— NHL (@NHL) June 24, 2024
The Oilers won the expected goals battle in four of the six games and generally outplayed the Panthers in two of their losses, Game 1 and Game 3.
While several factors contributed to the Oilers’ comeback, Connor McDavid and Connor Brown led the charge, reigniting their team’s efforts.
McDavid set a Stanley Cup Final record with eight points in two games, while Brown played a crucial role in the shorthanded goals that sparked the scoring in Games 4 and 5.
Not to be overshadowed, goalie Stuart Skinner has been a formidable presence, securing victories in all ten of his appearances in Games 4 through 7 this postseason.
The Oilers’ dominance is evident, with a staggering 41-13 outscoring of opponents in these matches.
Additionally, the Oilers’ forward lines are clicking.
Warren Foegele is on a four-game point streak, and Adam Henrique and Ryan McLeod have each contributed in three of the last four games. Mattias Janmark scored three points on his previous three outings.
Brown’s stellar performance on the penalty kill, which has neutralized 46 of the previous 47 penalties, has earned well-deserved praise.
Florida Panthers
Meanwhile, the Panthers offense has fizzled, scoring just five goals in the last 10 periods. Florida’s forwards have struggled, failing to register a shot in the first half of Game 6.
Center Carter Verhaeghe hasn’t scored since Game 1, with only one assist on Barkov’s Game 6 goal in this series. Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Reinhart have each netted just one goal.
Historically, the Panthers are 2-1 in Game 7s. The Oilers hold an 8-4 record and are 1-1 in Stanley Cup Final Game 7s.
In the last Game 7 of the Cup Final, the St. Louis Blues beat the Boston Bruins 4-1 on the road in 2019, marking the third consecutive road team win in a Game 7 Stanley Cup Final.
See you soon ???? pic.twitter.com/UAGPJ4laSU
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) June 24, 2024
Sergei Bobrovsky’s outstanding performance, marked by 32 saves in a shutout, was the key factor in the Panthers’ Game 1 victory.
Despite the Oilers’ dominance and a 92% chance of winning, it was Bobrovsky’s unexpected brilliance, with 5.7 goals saved above expectations, that turned the tide.
Bobrovsky’s stellar performance initially placed him at the top of the Conn Smythe odds leaderboard. The Oilers faced a tough time in Game 2 but managed a strong comeback in Game 3.
However, a series of second-period errors cost them the win, allowing the Panthers to secure the victory.
Panthers-Oilers Best Bet
Road teams have won the last three Game 7s in the Stanley Cup Final. Additionally, the Oilers have achieved a road Game 7 win during this playoff series in Vancouver.
Even though the Panthers are expected to put up a stronger fight tonight and turn the game into a grind, the Oilers appear to be the best bet at this stage.
I’m backing the Oilers to complete the comeback and become the fifth team to finish the job.
Welcome to Dice City Sports — where we provide premium, exclusive, up-to-date news and analysis surrounding the Las Vegas sports scene. Follow along on social media, and check back for new articles daily!
