Panthers left in search of confidence after Recreation 6 loss in Cup Last – NHL.com

After taking 3-0 sequence lead, Florida compelled into do-or-die Recreation 7 by dropping third straight
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EDMONTON – The Florida Panthers’ lead within the Stanley Cup Last 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 Recreation 6 at Rogers Place on Friday, however, at this level, it should really feel like they’re making an attempt to cease a large snowball rolling downhill towards them. Edmonton has gained three straight video games to even the best-of-7 sequence and power a Recreation 7 at Amerant Financial institution Area in Dawn, Florida on Monday (8 p.m.; ABC, ESPN+, SN, TVAS, CBC).
“Nicely, proper now when you walked into the room, there gained’t be a whole lot of glad folks,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice stated. “I’m not anxious about [the players’ mental state] tonight. It doesn’t need to be proper tonight. You’ve suffered a defeat, you are 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 every week, the Panthers have gone from the verge of sweeping their approach to their first championship to the verge of becoming a member of the 1942 Detroit Pink Wings in an ignominious Stanley Cup Last historical past. These Pink Wings are the one earlier crew to lose in a best-of-7 Cup Last after profitable the primary three video games, dropping the final 4 to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Oilers have already joined the 1945 Pink Wings (vs. the Maple Leafs) and the 1942 Maple Leafs as the one groups to power a Recreation 7 in a best-of-7 Cup Last 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 Last final season has unraveled previously three video games. After outscoring the Oilers 11-4 in profitable the primary three video games, they’ve been outscored 18-5 in dropping three straight.
They nonetheless have one likelihood left to salvage the sequence and keep away from infamy, however might want to regroup and discover a approach to regain their composure.
“We simply had a little bit chat with the crew. I feel we’re nonetheless feeling good,” Panthers ahead Eetu Luostarinen stated. “We all know what to do. We put ourselves on this scenario, going dwelling, excited to play the subsequent recreation.”
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Though the Panthers have stated the suitable issues after every of their losses, they haven’t been in a position 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 sequence.
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 aim 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 aim 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 wished it and that was type of it. We didn’t actually get to our forecheck off the beginning, they usually took it to us. So, I feel it’s for us to get higher, and I feel we’d like some higher begins.”
Barkov scored on an incredible 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 targets from Ryan McLeod and Darnell Nurse sealed the Panthers’ destiny that they must play a Recreation 7 in a sequence they appeared to have locked up after a 4-3 win in Recreation 3 right here final Thursday.
“I feel we’re high-quality,” Barkov, the Panthers captain, stated of his crew’s psychological state. “Clearly, we had three match factors, however Recreation 7, [that’s] everybody’s dream and that’s why we have to be prepared for the Recreation 7.”
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Having an opportunity to play Recreation 7 within the Cup Last was a giant 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 Recreation 7,” Barkov stated. “And, clearly, it begins proper now with the restoration and all that type of stuff.
“Clearly, nobody’s glad to lose the sport, however that’s it.”
The Panthers performed all season with a poise and objective after dropping within the Cup Last final season. That carried them by the primary three rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs towards the Tampa Bay Lightning, Boston Bruins and New York Rangers and the primary three video games towards the Oilers.
Now, they want to determine learn how to get it again in time for Recreation 7 on Monday.
“I feel we’re a assured group,” Verhaeghe stated. “They’re right here for a cause, we’re right here for a cause and, I imply, it’s the Stanley Cup Last. They’re a very good crew and it’s for us to come back again and reply subsequent recreation.”
🔹 Florida Panthers vs. Edmonton Oilers

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