Will probably be 1st winner-take-all recreation for championship since 2019
© Dave Sandford/NHLI through Getty Photos
The Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers will play Sport 7 of the Stanley Cup Ultimate at Amerant Financial institution Enviornment in Dawn, Florida, on Monday (8 p.m. ET; ABC, ESPN+, SN, TVAS, CBC).
The Oilers pushed the collection to the restrict by profitable the previous three video games, together with a 5-1 win at dwelling in Sport 6 on Friday.
“I am excited. I wish to get it going for certain, get on the ice Monday,” Oilers ahead Ryan Nugent-Hopkins mentioned. “It is a dream come true to be on this place and I can not be extra happy with this group.”
It will likely be the 18th Sport 7 in Stanley Cup Ultimate historical past for the reason that NHL moved to a best-of-7 format in 1939; dwelling groups are 12-5. The final Sport 7 of the Cup Ultimate was in 2019, when the St. Louis Blues defeated the Boston Bruins 4-1 on the street. That marked the third straight time the street staff was victorious in Sport 7 of the Cup Ultimate; the Pittsburgh Penguins gained 2-1 on the Detroit Crimson Wings in 2009 and the Bruins gained 4-0 on the Vancouver Canucks in 2011.
Florida (52-24-6), the No. 1 seed from the Atlantic Division, defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in 5 video games within the first spherical, Boston in six video games within the second spherical and the New York Rangers in six video games within the Jap Convention Ultimate.
The Panthers, who’re 2-1 in Sport 7s, together with 0-1 at dwelling, have by no means gained the Stanley Cup.
“I believe we’re positive,” Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov mentioned. “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.”
Ahead Vladimir Tarasenko has performed probably the most Sport 7s amongst Florida skaters, going 4-1 with two factors (one aim, one help), together with within the 2019 Cup Ultimate with St. Louis. Ahead Matthew Tkachuk (one aim, two assists) and defenseman Brandon Montour (two targets, one help) every is 2-0.
Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky is 1-0, making 33 saves in Sport 7 towards the Bruins within the first spherical final season. Backup Anthony Stolarz has not performed a Sport 7.
Panthers coach Paul Maurice is 4-0 in Sport 7s.
“I believe we’re a assured group,” Florida ahead Carter Verhaeghe mentioned. “They’re right here for a cause, we’re right here for a cause and, I imply, it’s the Stanley Cup Ultimate. They’re a extremely good staff and it’s for us to return again and reply subsequent recreation.”
Edmonton (49-27-6) the No. 2 seed within the Pacific Division, defeated the Los Angeles Kings in 5 video games within the first spherical and Vancouver in seven video games within the second spherical earlier than eliminating the Dallas Stars in six video games within the Western Convention Ultimate.
The Oilers, who’re 8-4 in Sport 7s, together with 4-3 on the street, final gained the Stanley Cup in 1990. They’re 1-1 in Sport 7 of the Cup Ultimate, defeating the Philadelphia Flyers in 1987 and shedding to the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006.
Edmonton ahead Corey Perry has performed 10 Sport 7s (5-5), with six factors (4 targets, two assists) in these video games. Ahead Zach Hyman has performed 5 (2-3, one aim), and ahead Evander Kane has performed 4 (4-0, one help). Facilities Connor McDavid (one aim, one help) and Leon Draisaitl (two assists) every has performed three Sport 7s (2-1).
Stuart Skinner made 15 saves in a 3-2 win on the Canucks within the second spherical, his solely look in a Sport 7. Backup Calvin Pickard has by no means performed a Sport 7.
Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch is 1-0 in Sport 7.
“That is why sports activities is superb as a result of the unthinkable can occur,” Hyman mentioned. “We’re in a spot the place we thought it might occur after I guess no one else believed that it may. We have got a chance now and that is all you possibly can ask for.”
🔹 Florida Panthers vs. Edmonton Oilers