Oilers become 10th team in NHL history to force Game 7 after trailing 3-0

The Edmonton Oilers are one game away from accomplishing the near impossible.

After their Game 6 win over the Florida Panthers on Friday in the Stanley Cup Final, the Oilers became just the 10th team in NHL history to force a Game 7 after trailing a series 3-0.

Looking at the record books, even what the Oilers have already accomplished is impressive.

Out of the 211 teams to face a 3-0 series deficit, only nine others have done what the Oilers did Friday and forced a Game 7.

Unfortunately for the Oilers, less than half the teams to force a Game 7 have finished the job — and only one has done it in the Cup Final

The 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs are the only team to rally from a 3-0 deficit in the Stanley Cup Final. Outside the championship series, the 1975 New York Islanders, the 2010 Philadelphia Flyers, and the 2014 Los Angeles Kings also all successfully won four straight games after falling down 3-0.

Five other teams in NHL history have managed to come back from down 3-0 only to lose in Game 7. The two instances over the past 45 years both occurred in the 2011 playoffs, with the Vancouver Canucks surviving to eliminate the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round and the Red Wings falling to the Sharks after forcing a Game 7 in the second round.

But the Oilers are in “Cup or bust mode,” and so the goal was never to just force a Game 7.

Stuart Skinner knew right from their Game 3 loss, that the Oilers’ ultimate goal was still achievable.

“I’m not too sure what the stats are coming back (from being down 3-0), but if anyone can do it, it’s the Oil,” Skinner said after then.

Many wouldn’t have believed him back then. But with the Stanley Cup Final down to a one-game, winner-takes-all showdown on Monday, Skinner may look like a genius soon enough.

You can watch Game 7 on Monday live on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ starting at 8 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. MT.