Bring on Game 7! Grades, lessons and more from a wild Game 6 win for the Oilers
-
Ryan S. Clark
-
Kristen Shilton
The Stanley Cup was in the building again, ready to be awarded to the Florida Panthers if they won Game 6.
They did not.
The Edmonton Oilers scored the first three goals of the game en route to another dominant win, this one 5-1. In the process, they became just the third team in NHL history to come back from 0-3 in the Stanley Cup Final to tie it 3-3. The 1945 Detroit Red Wings came back but lost in Game 7, while the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs pulled off the reverse sweep.
We break it all down for you. Here are our grades for both teams, along with takeaways that stuck out most, key players to watch and the big questions left unanswered prior to Game 7 on Monday (8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN+).
Panthers grade: C-
The Panthers have no one to blame but themselves. They lost three straight games just twice in the regular season and are on the brink of letting a Stanley Cup slip away. Florida should have had a parade by now. Instead, it is returning with Edmonton back to the Sunshine State to see if there’s anything left in the tank to finally finish off an extremely worthy opponent.
The Panthers have been listless out of the gate since Game 3, allowing the Oilers to take leads they don’t relinquish. Florida’s previous commitment to all-around defensive play is rapidly evaporating and leaves Sergei Bobrovsky vulnerable. Florida’s special teams haven’t been clicking, either. The Panthers stars are (mostly) nonexistent, and all the yelling from coach Paul Maurice can’t shake anything loose to help Florida get over the hump.
Now, the Panthers are in a do-or-die position. And it feels like Edmonton is in far better shape to handle Game 7 better than Florida.
Oilers grade: A
The Oilers have acted as a collective, taking away time and space as a five-man unit. That dedication resulted in just two shots on goals for the Panthers in the first period, and the five goals came from players not named Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl (though the latter had a superb assist on the game’s opening goal). Edmonton previously showed it could survive in tight situations and exhibited bounce-back ability in the Western Conference finals. It has gone from allowing eight goals in Games 2 and 3 in the Finals to just five goals over the past three games.
These have all been flash points that added to the belief that the Oilers might be the most complete team in the NHL.
Those traits weren’t as visible to open the series, but they were in Game 6. And while there were times when the Panthers pushed back, if the Oilers replicate their Game 6 performance in Game 7 it could see them go from a free fall to start the season to raising the Cup for the first time since 1990.
What we learned in Game 6
Florida’s absent stars are an issue
Listen, when the Panthers had just two shots at even strength from forwards through the first two periods of Game 6, it was clear why they were trailing 3-0. At that point, Edmonton had scored 17 of the past 21 goals in the Cup Final, and it kept making Florida look average.
Where were Sam Reinhart, Carter Verhaeghe and Aleksander Barkov to lift the Panthers out of this rut? Granted, Barkov’s second-period goal was called back for Reinhart being offside — and he lit the lamp again for Florida’s only goal in the third period — but Florida’s captain cannot carry the load alone.
0:45
Aleksander Barkov cuts into Panthers’ deficit with slick wrister
Aleksander Barkov weaves through traffic around the net and sneaks a quick shot past Stuart Skinner to get the Panthers within two scores.
The Panthers’ special teams are atrocious
It’s not just that Florida can’t score on special teams. Its power play can hardly generate a shot. Florida is 0-for-11 on the power play through its past three games, and during a critical third-period opportunity in Game 6, didn’t put up a single shot on Stuart Skinner.
Meanwhile, the Oilers were buzzing on their chances and making it difficult for Florida with the man advantage. Edmonton breathed life back into itself through special teams opportunities in Games 4 and 5; the Panthers’ failure to match has been a massive downfall. A series like this can be lost on special teams alone, and that’s the direction Florida is trending.
It wasn’t just one thing; it was several for the Oilers
It started with Kris Knoblauch’s decision to move Warren Foegele to the second line as a way to help generate some offensive consistency for Leon Draisaitl. That led to Draisaitl setting up Foegele for the game’s opening goal in Game 6. The Oilers also have the sort of structure that’s allowed them to find rush goals, including three of them in sequence.
Later, there was the successful coach’s challenge of Barkov’s goal that was a major momentum swing. And as it’s been stated several times during the playoffs, the Oilers won games without needing goals from Draisaitl or McDavid. For years, the concern surrounding the Oilers was whether or not they had enough options beyond those two. But as they showed in Game 6, they have several options that proved to be too much for the Panthers.
1:05
Panthers coach Paul Maurice livid after goal overturned
Panthers coach Paul Maurice lets the officials hear it after Florida’s quick score was overturned against the Oilers.
The Oilers keep placing opposing star players in a defensive black hole
Even though Barkov scored, the struggles he and Matthew Tkachuk have had are part of a larger narrative about how star players are struggling against the Oilers in this postseason.
The Oilers held Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar, who has more than 1,200 career points, without a point over four games. Vancouver Canucks forward J.T. Miller had 103 points in the regular season, but held without a point in three of seven games in the second round. While Jason Robertson scored a hat trick in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals, the Oilers kept him without a point for the last three games of the series and four games overall.
Entering Game 6, Barkov and Tkachuk each had three Cup final games that saw them fail to record a point. The Oilers are forcing the Panthers’ depth options to beat them — and it’s been an effective strategy for the past three wins.
Players to watch in Game 7
Sergei Bobrovsky, G, Panthers
What McDavid has been to Edmonton, so has Bobrovsky been to Florida. And ultimately, whether the Panthers succeed or fail at winning the Cup will hinge on him.
Why? Because to this point in elimination games, Florida simply has not produced a dominant skater capable of taking over and single-handedly securing a victory. The only player the Panthers can rely on to do that — in a crunch-time situation — is Bobrovsky. He’s been their most consistent postseason performer, and the Panthers have been right to invest as much faith in him being a difference-maker. That will never be more pronounced or critical than in Game 7.
Leon Draisaitl, C, Oilers
Draisaitl made it clear after the morning skate Friday he wasn’t happy with the way he was playing and that he hadn’t found his game yet. His assist that gave the Oilers a 1-0 provided him a quick start that had been elusive.
Although he hasn’t scored a goal, he finished with three shots, while also drawing a penalty in the third period that slowed the Panthers for two more minutes. Draisaitl has had four games during the Cup Final in which he has finished with three shots. Could Game 7 provide him with the breakthrough to score his first goal since Game 4 of the Western Conference finals?
Big questions for Game 7
Are the Panthers championship material?
Nitpick any part of the Panthers game. It doesn’t matter at this stage. All that stands between Florida and closing out a series that could have been finalized a week ago is its ability to prove that the 16th win is within its grasp — that the Panthers themselves are made to be champions.
Florida has failed in three straight opportunities to send Edmonton packing. The lack of killer instinct goes against everything Florida showed until this point. Now it will be harder than ever to get the job done because Edmonton has all the momentum and every reason to believe it is on track to finish the job. Can the Panthers notch just one last victory?
Where would an Oilers Game 7 win rank among all-time comebacks?
Let’s say for the sake of discussion, they do win the Stanley Cup. Could it be the greatest comeback in NHL history and potentially the greatest comeback in the history of North American professional sports?
There’s the famed 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs who remain the only NHL team to win a Stanley Cup after a 3-0 deficit. The only other team in either a Major League Baseball or NBA playoffs series to achieve the feat was in 2004 when the Boston Red Sox rallied from a three-game hole to beat the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series.
And while the NFL has a single-elimination format in the playoffs, the New England Patriots pulled off the largest comeback in Super Bowl history when they overcame a 28-3 hole in the second half to beat the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime in Super Bowl LI.
If Edmonton pulls it off, this comeback will certainly have a strong case in the all-time debate.
Following two transfer portal windows and the NFL draft, college football fans might need Apple AirTags to track where their favorite players wound up.
This space is dedicated to those who decided to stay — commitments who boosted their teams’ College Football Playoff hopes. Penn State’s 2022 recruiting class could take up half the list: quarterback Drew Allar, running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton and defensive tackle Zane Durant are all back from the Nittany Lions’ CFP semifinal run.
“When we all committed here coming out of our ’22 class, that was one of our goals coming in as Penn Staters, we wanted to compete for championships, both Big Ten and obviously national championships,” Allar said. “And obviously we had a taste of that last year, and we know how close you are, so it’s just building off that and trying to make another run at it.”
Here’s a look at 13 players from 11 schools and representing five different leagues whose decisions to either forgo the NFL draft or sidestep the portal have beefed up their respective teams’ playoff chances.
The decision: Forgo the 2025 NFL draft
What his return means: Nussmeier, a fifth-year senior, and offensive coordinator Joe Sloan are entering their second season together and aiming to improve upon a stellar debut, which will help the Tigers contend for the SEC title. Nussmeier threw for 4,052 passing yards last year, 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Even if LSU can’t win the league, Nussmeier’s return can help the Tigers earn an at-large CFP bid — especially if he makes a similar jump to his predecessors, Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels, who both won the Heisman Trophy in their second seasons in Baton Rouge. Nussmeier’s dad, Doug, will be nearby as the Saints’ offensive coordinator after winning a Super Bowl as the Eagles’ quarterbacks coach. With four new starters on the Tigers’ offensive line, there’s going to be an adjustment period, but if the “Nuss Bus” gets the time he needs, this should be a breakout season and his draft stock will rise with LSU’s playoff chances.
2. Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
The decision: Forgo the 2025 NFL draft
What his return means: Penn State has something Ohio State and Oregon don’t — a starting quarterback with playoff experience. The Nittany Lions might finally have the pieces in place to return to the top of the Big Ten and contend for a national title. Allar, who’s entering his third season as the starter, will be surrounded by NFL talent on the offensive line and in the running game, and could make a case to be Penn State’s first Heisman Trophy winner since John Cappelletti in 1973. Last season, he had 3,327 passing yards, the third most in a season in school history. With a second season under coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, and more options at wide receiver — plus a still-loaded tight end room — there will be no shortage of options for Allar to push the ball downfield more.
The decision: Forgo the 2025 NFL draft
What his return means: On paper, Clemson has enough offensive firepower returning to elevate the Tigers into a deeper CFP run than their first-round exit in 2024 and they should have the Heisman-contending quarterback the program has desperately missed. Klubnik leads a Clemson offense that is No. 1 in the FBS in returning production (81%), according to ESPN’s Bill Connelly. Klubnik reestablished himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the country following a down season in 2023. Last year, his 308 completions, 3,639 passing yards and 36 passing touchdowns all ranked among the best seasons in program history. As he enters his third season as a starter under offensive coordinator Garrett Riley, Klubnik’s understanding of the offense and his relationship with Riley has grown, positioning Klubnik for what should be his best season with the Tigers.
4. Nicholas Singleton/Kaytron Allen, RBs, Penn State
The decision: Forgo the 2025 NFL draft
What their return means: The nation’s best running back duo returns intact, and they’ve got playoff experience along with familiarity and knowledge of the offense in coordinator Andy Kotelnicki’s second season, all of which should boost the Nittany Lions’ hopes of winning the Big Ten and returning to the CFP. Singleton and Allen were projected by ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. to be the Nos. 5 and 6 running backs available in the 2025 draft after becoming the first combo in Penn State history to each have at least 1,000 rushing yards in the same season. Penn State ran for more than 200 yards in 10 games last season, and the Nittany Lions led all Power 4 teams and Notre Dame in rushing with 3,237 yards. Of course, it helps to have 6-foot-4, 350-pound offensive guard Olaivavega Ioane blocking.
The decision: Avoid the transfer portal
What his return means: Sellers absolutely drew interest from other teams in November and December, but he re-signed quickly with the Gamecocks — and his commitment could be the difference between receiving or not receiving a CFP bid. The same can be said for edge rusher Dylan Stewart, who also attracted attention after 10.5 TFLs and 6.5 sacks last year. South Carolina made a playoff case with Sellers leading the offense last year, but the CFP selection committee didn’t rank the No. 15 Gamecocks high enough for inclusion. He improved throughout the season last fall, increasing his Total QBR from 52 in his first six games to 81 over the last six. This year, he’ll be working with Mike Shula, the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Don Shula.
The decision: Avoid the transfer portal (twice)
What his return means: Illinois can be a CFP sleeper team by competing for the Big Ten title and earning an at-large bid if it doesn’t win the league. The importance of Illinois retaining its starting quarterback after a strong spring push from Tennessee can’t be understated. The Illini have a chance to be this year’s Indiana — a Big Ten contender with a manageable schedule that can play its way into the selection committee’s rankings with a standout quarterback and his supporting cast. After public speculation he might transfer for his final year of eligibility, Altmyer announced in December he would return to the team. He did it again in April, following the drama at Tennessee. Altmyer passed for 2,543 yards, 21 touchdowns and only five interceptions last year, leading Illinois to a 9-3 regular season and a top-20 ranking in the Associated Press poll.
The decision: Avoid the transfer portal
What his return means: K-State can win another wide-open Big 12 race and earn an automatic bid into the playoff as one of the five highest-ranked conference champions. Johnson never entered the transfer portal, but he attracted interest, especially after Tennessee lost Nico Iamaleava. “We got a damned wall built around him,” a K-State source told ESPN. “They better bring the Tennessee National Guard.” Expectations will be higher this year for Johnson, who threw for 2,712 passing yards, 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in his first full season as a starter last year. He also had 605 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. With the depth at wide receiver, K-State’s passing game could flourish this fall.
The decision: Forgo the NFL draft
What his return means: A veteran offensive line that includes four returning starters from a group that allowed the third-fewest sacks in the SEC last season (20). It also means better protection for quarterback DJ Lagway, who could be one of the best in the country if he can stay healthy — and Lagway’s health is the most critical component to Florida’s success this year. According to Pro Football Focus, Slaughter allowed one sack, one QB hit, six QB hurries and eight pressures — with only three penalties — in 728 snaps. The Gators again have one of the toughest schedules in the country, and Slaughter is the kind of veteran they need up front to help Lagway survive it.
The decision: Forgo the NFL draft
What his return means: That the Buckeyes didn’t lose everyone from their national championship defense. Styles had an outstanding 2024 season with 100 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, six sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and five passes defended. His draft stock rose as the Buckeyes ascended through the CFP bracket, but he told reporters at their national championship celebration that he “wasn’t ready to leave yet.” Styles still has room to improve and grow, and his draft stock will continue to rise. He’s now in a position of leadership as one of just three returning starters on defense and the most experienced player among the rising seniors.
The decision: Forgo the NFL draft
What his return means: The Ducks retained a 6-foot, 175-pound receiver who played a key role in advancing them to the top seed in the 2024 CFP, and they’ll need his help again — especially with the departure of Tez Johnson, who entered the NFL draft after leading Oregon with 83 receptions for 898 yards and 10 touchdowns his senior season. Stewart is Oregon’s only returning receiver who had more than 30 receptions in 2024. Stewart, who transferred to Oregon from Texas A&M, had 48 catches last season for 613 yards and tied for the team high with five receiving touchdowns. He was Oregon’s second-most targeted receiver in an offense that finished 13th nationally in passing yards. Stewart’s role will increase, and his decision to return will help the Ducks’ new starting quarterback, which could be former UCLA QB Dante Moore.
The decision: Forgo the NFL draft
What his decision means: The Longhorns have leadership, playoff experience, NFL talent and a familiar face returning to a defense that again has to replace multiple starters from the previous season. Taaffe, a rising senior who ascended from walk-on to All-American, had 71 tackles, 6 TFLs, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions, 10 passes defended, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery. His decision to return was driven in large part by the desire to win a national title at Texas and the devastation he said he felt following the loss to Ohio State. Taaffe will get another chance at the Buckeyes in the season opener.
The decision: Withdrew name from portal
What his return means: The Broncos were able to retain top talent from their 2024 CFP run, which featured one of the nation’s top defensive fronts, a huge boost for coach Spencer Danielson as he tries to own the Group of 5’s guaranteed spot as one of the nation’s five highest-ranked conference champions. Fely took visits to Miami and Cal before announcing on social media he planned to return to Boise. Fely, who spent the past three seasons at Boise State, started 28 games in the past two seasons. He had nine TFLs last year and 5.5 sacks.
-
Sports3 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports1 year agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports2 years agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports4 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike
-
Business3 years agoBank of England’s extraordinary response to government policy is almost unthinkable | Ed Conway