Bold predictions for Oilers-Panthers Stanley Cup Final Game 7

What seemed like an impossible situation has played out in stunning fashion in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. The Edmonton Oilers, who initially trailed three games to none against the Florida Panthers, have roared back to tie the series at three games apiece. This has set up a winner-take-all Game 7 on Monday night at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise.

It’s one of the more shocking comebacks in recent memory, as the Oilers now have the chance to become the first team since the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs to complete a historic reverse sweep in the Stanley Cup Final. They can also become the first NHL team in a decade to complete the reverse sweep since the Los Angeles Kings did so against the San Jose Sharks in 2014.

The eyebrow-raising reversal of fortunes has been made all the more shocking considering how the Panthers picked apart the Oilers in the first three games of the series, as well as their journey to the Cup Final that included series victories over the Tampa Bay Lightning, Boston Bruins and the President’s Trophy-winning New York Rangers.

It’s the two most exciting words in sports: Game 7. What exactly is in store tonight in what will be a historic date for both teams? Let’s check it out below.

The Oilers complete the historic comeback

Simply put, the momentum of the Oilers is too much now for the Panthers to handle. The drought of the Oilers (no championships since 1990) and the nation of Canada (no Canadian-based NHL team has won the Stanley Cup since 1993) will come to a close, and they will complete the historic comeback effort.

Unfortunately for the Panthers, the Oilers are firing on all cylinders – and they didn’t even need Connor McDavid in Game 6, who was held pointless. Forward Zach Hyman now has a combined 70 goals in the regular season and playoffs, while goaltender Stuart Skinner has rebounded from three subpar outings and has outplayed Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky.

The Oilers’ core of Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Evan Bouchard has come alive. At the same time, they continue to get key contributions from depth forwards like Warren Foegele and Adam Henrique.

The Panthers have had no answer for the resurgence of the Oilers, and it will culminate in a fourth straight win. The Oilers will defeat the Panthers tonight, who will go down in sports history as one of the biggest choke artists in history.

Connor McDavid is awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy

Superstar captain Connor McDavid is simply playing on another level and is now within reach of Wayne Gretzky’s record of 47 points during the 1985 Stanley Cup Playoffs. His eight combined points in Games 4 and 5 have given him 42 points, and he’s already broken Gretzky’s assist record of 32.

McDavid has put the Oilers on his back, as voiced by defenseman Mattias Ekholm via the Washington Post.

“He’s our Zlatan,” Ekholm said, comparing McDavid to the soccer icon Ibrahimovic. “He is as big, although being a totally different kind of individual. Zlatan was outgoing and somewhat cocky and publicly self-confident. Connor is more restrained in that regard, but on the field (in the rink), they’re the same kind of player, who can take over entire games and totally dominate. He’s as big as you can be.

“I don’t know how big Gretzky was when he was playing here, but I assume it was kind of the same. He really deserves it, especially with how good he is in the really big games.”

Head coach Kris Knoblauch, who has known McDavid since he was 15 years of age, spoke glowingly about McDavid’s ability and love of the game that is fuelling him.

“I don’t think you can be exceptional at anything you do unless you absolutely love what you’re doing, and he loves playing hockey,” Knoblauch said. “Obviously there’s some talent that he was inherited. A lot of it he had to work at and improve. I think that’s the most important thing. I think he’s a very competitive person also. He wants to win, wants to be the best, so between his love and passion I think that just allows him to rise up and make those plays at significant times.”

The party in Edmonton lasts all summer long

Throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the fans who have packed Rogers Place for home games as well as the fans gathered outside of the venue for the official watch parties have impressed with their passion and excitement.

This evening, it will be a delight to watch fans gather for watch parties to celebrate the franchise’s first Stanley Cup win since 1990. Across Canada, there will be a shared sense of pride as a Canadian-based team raises the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1993.

The party will be wild and epic, and tonight will only be the beginning.

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