Panthers left in search of confidence after Sport 6 loss in Cup Closing – NHL.com

After taking 3-0 collection lead, Florida pressured into do-or-die Sport 7 by dropping third straight
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EDMONTON – The Florida Panthers’ lead within the Stanley Cup Closing is gone. Their confidence appears to be, too.
The Panthers went proper to work on their psychological state in a locker room assembly following their 5-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers in Sport 6 at Rogers Place on Friday, however, at this level, it should really feel like they’re attempting to cease a large snowball rolling downhill in opposition to them. Edmonton has gained three straight video games to even the best-of-7 collection and drive a Sport 7 at Amerant Financial institution Area in Dawn, Florida on Monday (8 p.m.; ABC, ESPN+, SN, TVAS, CBC).
“Nicely, proper now in case you walked into the room, there gained’t be a number of blissful folks,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice stated. “I’m not frightened about [the players’ mental state] tonight. It doesn’t need to be proper tonight. You’ve suffered a defeat, you’re feeling it, it hurts. You lick your wounds, and we begin constructing that again tomorrow.
“However who you might be tonight means nothing to who you’re going to be two days from now.”
Within the span of per week, the Panthers have gone from the verge of sweeping their method to their first championship to the verge of becoming a member of the 1942 Detroit Purple Wings in an ignominious Stanley Cup Closing historical past. These Purple Wings are the one earlier crew to lose in a best-of-7 Cup Closing after successful the primary three video games, dropping the final 4 to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Oilers have already joined the 1945 Purple Wings (vs. the Maple Leafs) and the 1942 Maple Leafs as the one groups to drive a Sport 7 in a best-of-7 Cup Closing after dropping the primary three video games.
The decided Panthers crew that was on a mission to win the Cup for the primary time after dropping to the Vegas Golden Knights in 5 video games within the Closing final season has unraveled up to now three video games. After outscoring the Oilers 11-4 in successful the primary three video games, they’ve been outscored 18-5 in dropping three straight.
They nonetheless have one likelihood left to salvage the collection and keep away from infamy, however might want to regroup and discover a method to regain their composure.
“We simply had a little bit chat with the crew. I believe we’re nonetheless feeling good,” Panthers ahead Eetu Luostarinen stated. “We all know what to do. We put ourselves on this state of affairs, going dwelling, excited to play the following recreation.”
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Though the Panthers have stated the best issues after every of their losses, they haven’t been ready discover any solutions to the Oilers’ desperation. Florida fell behind within the first interval and by no means led in every of its first three makes an attempt to shut out the collection.
The Panthers fell behind 3-0 Friday for the second straight recreation. Warren Foegele completed a 3-on-2 feed from Leon Draisaitl to offer the Oilers a 1-0 lead at 7:27 of the primary interval. Adam Henrique’s 2-on-1 purpose 46 seconds into the second elevated Edmonton’s result in 2-0.
Aleksander Barkov appeared to attain on a rebound 10 seconds later to chop Florida’s deficit to 2-1, however the purpose was negated by a coach’s problem video evaluate that confirmed Sam Reinhart was offside. Zach Hyman scored on a breakaway at 18:20 and the Panthers discovered themselves trailing 3-0 regardless of outshooting the Oilers 11-4 within the second interval.
“They got here out hungrier than us,” Panthers ahead Carter Verhaeghe stated. “They needed it and that was type of it. We didn’t actually get to our forecheck off the beginning, and so they took it to us. So, I believe it’s for us to get higher, and I believe we’d like some higher begins.”
Barkov scored on an amazing particular person play 1:28 into the third interval to get the Panthers inside 3-1 and provides them some hope, however once more the deficit was too huge to beat. Empty-net objectives from Ryan McLeod and Darnell Nurse sealed the Panthers’ destiny that they must play a Sport 7 in a collection they appeared to have locked up after a 4-3 win in Sport 3 right here final Thursday.
“I believe we’re tremendous,” Barkov, the Panthers captain, stated of his crew’s psychological state. “Clearly, we had three match factors, however Sport 7, [that’s] everybody’s dream and that’s why we should be prepared for the Sport 7.”
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Having an opportunity to play Sport 7 within the Cup Closing was an enormous a part of the Panthers’ postgame message, and, apparently, a part of what was stated of their locker room earlier than it was opened to the media quarter-hour after the ultimate buzzer.
“We talked as a crew, we talked with the administration, coaches, and everybody we have to get to prepared for the Sport 7,” Barkov stated. “And, clearly, it begins proper now with the restoration and all that type of stuff.
“Clearly, nobody’s blissful to lose the sport, however that’s it.”
The Panthers performed all season with a poise and function after dropping within the Cup Closing final season. That carried them by means of the primary three rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in opposition to the Tampa Bay Lightning, Boston Bruins and New York Rangers and the primary three video games in opposition to the Oilers.
Now, they want to determine the way to get it again in time for Sport 7 on Monday.
“I believe we’re a assured group,” Verhaeghe stated. “They’re right here for a purpose, we’re right here for a purpose and, I imply, it’s the Stanley Cup Closing. They’re a extremely good crew and it’s for us to return again and reply subsequent recreation.”
🔹 Florida Panthers vs. Edmonton Oilers

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