The Florida Panthers entered Game 6 of the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Finals in Edmonton with a slim advantage in the series. After the final buzzer sounded at a very loud Rexall Place on Friday night, the Panthers were left dazed and confused following a third straight defeat to the Edmonton Oilers, 5-1. While Game 6 was not without some second-period controversy, Florida did not perform well defensively on the road.
Now, for only the third time in NHL history, the Edmonton Oilers have scaled “Comeback Mountain” forcing the Florida Panthers to play more hockey back in Sunrise, FL on Monday night.
First Period – Florida Allows Opening Goal in Game 6
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Florida allowed a goal to Edmonton’s Warren Foegele at 7:27 to kickstart the scoring in Game 6. The Panthers did not have much offensive success in the period with Oliver Ekman-Larsson being the only Florida skater to generate a shot against Edmonton’s goalie Stuart Skinner.
Both teams battled for the remaining ten minutes without any additional scoring. There was not a ton of excitement to speak of in the period. The Panthers entered the first intermission trailing 1-0 on the scoreboard while registering only 2 shots on net in the initial frame both off the stick of defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
Second Period – Offsides Challenge Saves Oilers Game 6
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For as sleepy of a first period both teams had, the second period began with an offensive firework spectacular that would’ve been just as fitting in two weeks on the 4th of July holiday. Edmonton’s Adam Henrique established the multi-goal advantage for Edmonton, 2-0, with his 4th goal of the postseason.
Twenty seconds later, Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov scored to cut that lead in half, 2-1…. or so we thought? Edmonton’s head coach Kris Knocblach challenged the call. After review, the play was deemed offside by zoomed-in pixels, and the Edmonton lead was restored at 2-0.
A few minutes before the second intermission, Zach Hyman scored his 70th combined goal of this season to extend the Edmonton lead to 3-0. Hyman leads the NHL playoffs in goals with 16.
Third Period – Too Late for Cats to Avoid Game 7 at 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Finals
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Florida’s captain scored less than 90 seconds into the third period to finally put the Panthers on the board, 3-1. Florida attempted to generate offense, however, the Edmonton Oilers’ defense kept everything to the outside. Stuart Skinner shut down any feeble attempts to score from Florida to various excited jeers of “Seeeeergei” alongside increasingly confident “Let’s Go Oilers” shouting and culminated with full-throated “We Want The Cup” from Oilers supporters.
For Florida, the nightmare continues as the team flies south without heavy carry-on luggage or even a series lead. What was once unthinkable 10 days ago with a 3-0 series lead has become a reality. Panthers fans have turned their attention from planning a parade to planning one final trip to Amerant Bank Arena on Monday night.
Game 7 of the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Finals will be a one-game battle for the hardest trophy to win in all of sports. Can the Panthers regroup for Game 7, or will Connor McDavid help Canada claim their first Stanley Cup trophy since 1993?
About The Author
Christopher Babos is a genuine sports & entertainment journalist with diverse credentials in writing, broadcasting, and digital media. With various roles in the sports industry over two decades, Chris can speak with authority on the topics he covers. He can be located on X for real-time takes (@CBabosWrites).
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