The Edmonton Oilers defeated the Florida Panthers 5-1, compelling a Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Final.

 

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Despite Connor McDavid being held scoreless, Leon Draisaitl and other key players for the Edmonton Oilers stepped up to move within one win of claiming the Stanley Cup.

Draisaitl made a significant impact in the final by assisting on Warren Foegele’s early goal. Adam Henrique and Zach Hyman then scored in the second period as the Oilers forced a Game 7, defeating the Florida Panthers 5-1 in Game 6 on Friday night.

“We play to win, and this will be our toughest game yet,” Draisaitl said. “We need to bring our A-game again.”

Edmonton is the first team since the 1945 Detroit Red Wings to tie the Stanley Cup Final after trailing 3-0 in the series. The Oilers now have the opportunity, on Monday night in Sunrise, to emulate the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs as the only NHL teams to come back from such a deficit and claim the Stanley Cup.

“There was an unwavering belief,” Hyman noted. “No matter what challenges we faced this season, we always believed we could overcome them. This entire season prepared us for this moment. The next game will be the toughest, but winning in front of our fans feels incredible. We have a chance now, and we’re ready to seize it.”