Posted on 06/24/2024 2:38:14 PM PDT by hole_n_one
SUNRISE, Fla. -- Welcome to the unimaginable.
Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final has been played 17 times since 1942, most recently in 2019 and before that 2011, 2009, 2006, 2004, 2003, 2001 and 10 times before the turn of the century.
But not since 1945 has Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final been necessary after a team took a 3-0 lead in the series.
Not until now that is, or, rather, Monday, when the Panthers and Edmonton Oilers play Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, play for everything from the Stanley Cup to history to legacies at Amerant Bank Arena (8 p.m. ET; ABC, ESPN+, SN, TVAS, CBC).
"That's actually what makes this whole thing awesome is the context of it," Panthers coach Paul Maurice said.
An Oilers win and they will be the first team since the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs to win the Stanley Cup after falling behind 3-0 in the Stanley Cup Final. They are already the first team since the 1945 Detroit Red Wings to force a Game 7 after falling behind 3-0 in the Cup Final.
An Oilers win and they will forever be remembered as the team that did what seemed impossible.
They will differentiate themselves from the dynastic Oilers that won the Stanley Cup five times from 1984-90.
They will differentiate themselves from every Stanley Cup winner in the NHL's modern era, which began in 1943-44, when the center red line was introduced.
"Obviously, it's not your ordinary game, everybody understands that," Oilers captain Connor McDavid said. "But you've got to make it as ordinary as possible in your head. I think part of that is just sticking to your routine. Our room has done a great job of being at our best in these big moments, and I would expect no different tomorrow."
(Excerpt) Read more at nhl.com ...
CONGRATULATIONS to the HERSHEY BEARS!!!
Back to Back AHL Calder Cup champs!!!
Great game thus far. Hubby and number 1 son are pulling for the Panthers. My other son played in middle school and high school. He has been the true ice hockey fan in our family. We used to call him the almanac because he knew every player, coach, and stat. For whatever reason he is pulling for Edmonton. We have a soft spot for players who used to play for the Blue Jackets. Bob(rovsky) is one.
Edmonton empty net….
Wow!!
Sorry, man. Helluva run. Gutsy playing.
They did a good job.
Connor McDavid won the Conn Smythe trophy! Florida ain’t happy, but he deserves it!
The Oiler do need a comeback award. The first team to do what they did in something like 40 years.
2nd time MVP awarded to player on losing team.
Congrats to the Panthers. The 0-3 comeback club is pretty exclusive. Leafs in 42 were the first and still only finals team to do it. It’s also happened a handful of times in the NHL in earlier rounds of the playoffs. Red Sox over the Yanks in the ALCS is the only time it has ever happened in MLB. Never in the NBA. Edmonton almost did it but fell just a bit short tonight.
Well, as a fellow oil man, I was rooting for the Oil. And the Flames. But it weren’t meant to be. The Canadian Curse lingers on. Maybe because of the idiot in Ottawa.
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