The Edmonton Oilers find themselves in a really bad position, trailing 3-0 in the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers. The Oilers’ comeback effort fell short in a 4-3 loss in Game 3, leaving them on the brink of elimination and dashing the hopes of countless fans.
Despite an energetic third-period revival, they were unable to overcome Florida, particularly the unstoppable goaltending of Sergei Bobrovsky.
With their season hanging in the balance, the Oilers must now dig deep to stave off elimination and keep their championship hopes alive.
So, should we make the bet on the Oilers coming back from the brink? While the odds are against them with BetMGM holding them as the underdogs with a -120, we think there’s a chance, at least for a few games.
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In Game 3, the Oilers had a pretty decent start. However, they were ultimately outplayed during the second period. The Panthers scored three goals in just over six minutes, turning a 1-1 tie into a 4-1 deficit for Edmonton. That’s a tall order for any team to come back from, even a team with Connor McGregor leading the charge.
Despite goals from Philip Broberg and Ryan McLeod in the third period, the Oilers couldn’t find the equalizer, falling just short of a hopeful comeback.
Warren Foegele managed to tie the game at 1-1 early in the second period, but the Panthers quickly responded with a flurry of goals. Rapid succession, it was an onslaught by the Panthers.
Edmonton’s goaltender, Stuart Skinner, struggled to contain Florida’s burst, allowing three goals on 23 shots. By most standards, that’s not exactly terrible, but we all know that you have to do better than that during playoff hockey. In contrast, Bobrovsky’s stellar performance, stopping 32 of 35 shots, proved to be the biggest factor in Florida’s game 3 win.
The Oilers had several opportunities to change the game's outcome, but they obviously didn’t capitalize on these.
Their power play, which has been a strength throughout the season, went 0-for-3 in Game 3. We’re not sure that has happened during any Oilers game throughout the regular season. This failure to convert on the man advantage has been a recurring issue in the series, with Edmonton unable to score on their last 12 power-play opportunities. Florida seems to have their number and has cracked the code on the Oilers dominant power play offensive.
Connor McDavid, the indisputable star of the team, provided two assists but has yet to make a significant impact in the series, which is surprising for us.
The Oilers’ inability to get their top players fully engaged offensively has been a critical factor in their struggles. Coach Kris Knoblauch acknowledged the team’s missed opportunities, noting that they had several good chances but failed to convert them.
This is what gives us hope for the Oilers moving forward. It’s obvious where they’re getting beat. Now they have to correct it. However, can they correct it in time before elimination?
For the Oilers to stage a historic comeback, several key factors need to change.
Before anything else, their power play must find its rhythm. That’s non-negotiable.
Edmonton’s success this season has been largely built on their ability to score with the man advantage. Many teams capitalize on this and Edmonton did with the best of them. Rediscovering this dominant feature is essential if they hope to break through Florida’s defense.
Next up, the Oilers need more contributions from their top players.
Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins have all shown flashes of brilliance but need to elevate their game to another level. We’ve seen what they can do. In fact, McDavid is arguably one of the best players in the world. Their ability to produce offensively will be critical in overcoming Bobrovsky’s exceptional goaltending.
Defensively, the Oilers aren’t terrible, but they have to tighten up and avoid the costly mistakes that have plagued them in this series. Florida’s ability to capitalize on Edmonton’s errors has been a huge factor in their success, but it’s manageable.
By minimizing turnovers and maintaining better defensive coverage, the Oilers can limit the Panthers’ scoring opportunities, however, this is the least of their worries if they can’t find the back of the Panther’s net.
Looking ahead to Game 4, the Oilers must approach the game with a sense of urgency and desperation. We’re sure they’re already in panic-mode.
They cannot afford to fall behind early, as they did in previous games. Establishing a strong forecheck and maintaining pressure on Florida’s defense will be crucial in creating scoring chances. They have to fight like they’re a rabid animal backed into a corner (because they are).
Special teams will also play, in our opinion, the most important role. Edmonton needs to find a way to crack Florida’s penalty kill and generate goals on the power play. That’s what they’ve done the entire season, so turn it back on. On top of that, they have to continue to be disciplined and avoid giving the Panthers too many opportunities with the man advantage.
The mental aspect of the game cannot be underestimated. This is game 4 of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals we’re talking about. The Oilers must believe in their ability to come back and stay composed under pressure. Drawing on their experience and success from the regular season can provide the confidence needed to perform at their best.
One factor that could play a significant role in Edmonton’s favor is the support of their home crowd at Rogers Place. We were hoping to see this shine in Game 3, which it did, but it wasn’t enough.
The energy and passion of the fans boost the team’s morale and performance. That’s undeniable. A loud and supportive atmosphere can create an intimidating environment for the Panthers and inspire the Oilers to elevate their game. After all, there’s a lot of emotion in this upcoming Game 4, not only from the players but from the fans as well.
The fans’ unwavering support can also serve as a reminder of what is at stake and the pride of representing their city. It’s time for Lord Stanley’s Cup to head back to Canada in more than 30 years.
While the task ahead may seem impossible, the Oilers can draw inspiration from historical comebacks in sports. It’s not unheard of, though, it’s a massive undertaking.
Here are the four times in NHL history that teams have comeback from 3-0 deficits—
2014 Los Angeles Kings against the San Jose Sharks in the First Round
2010 Philadelphia Flyers against the Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference Semifinals
1975 New York Islanders against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Quarterfinals
1942 Toronto Maple Leafs against the Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup Finals
The Oilers can look to these examples as motivation and believe that they can write their own comeback story. If you’re going to bet on the Oilers to win the Stanley Cup, now’s the time to get in on it. You’ll be a legend at the sportsbook.
That’s our prediction. We’re staying with it. It’s a tall task, but it’s not unheard of.
If the Oilers can get the things together we mentioned earlier, then they’ll dominate the next four games, but they’ll have to turn it on and keep it on. It could be a series for the ages, but right now it’s looking like Florida is the team to beat. They’ve honed in on the Oilers and are actively exploiting their weaknesses, well, at the very least, minimizing their strengths.
In the face of adversity, the Oilers have an opportunity to demonstrate their true potential and leave a lasting legacy. The road ahead may be tough, but with the right mindset and a collective effort, they can make a remarkable comeback and continue their quest for the Stanley Cup.
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