Game 6 Final: The Edmonton Oilers lose the Stanley Cup Final to the Florida Panthers

In a season filled with miraculous comebacks and record setting performances, the Edmonton Oilers had a tall task in front of them. Down three goals to none heading into the third period of a potential Stanley Cup clinching game, the guys in Copper and Blue had an opportunity to do something remarkable yet again.

Unfortunately for the Oilers, their magic seemed to run out on the night they needed it most as the Florida Panthers won Game 6 by a final score of 5–1. Led by Sam Reinhart’s four-goal performance, the Florida Panthers have won their second consecutive Stanley Cup and showed why they are the best team in the league.

What were out takeaways in this one? Let’s dive in below.

Fast start, same first period result

Much has been made this series about the Edmonton Oilers’ inability to escape the first period without some damage. In particular, Edmonton has been outscored 13–4 in the first periods of the series. The Oilers knew exactly what they needed to do and what they needed to avoid coming into this one. After a fast start that included several shots on Sergei Bobrovsky, it was only a matter of time before the same pattern repeated itself.

Not even five minutes into the period, Evan Bouchard’s puck clearing attempt fell short on a Sam Reinhart forecheck, leading to a sensational shot that beat Stuart Skinner to create a 1–0 lead. The Oilers would do themselves no favors, allowing Matthew Tkachuk to score another one with less than a minute left in the period.

Despite much discussion in the pre-game interviews about the necessary changes, the Oilers had no answers for the Florida Panthers’ first period success.

Failure to adapt

Another aspect of Oilers’ game play that has been under scrutiny has been their inability to create long periods of offensive pressure and Game 6 was no different. With several exceptions, mostly in the early first and third periods, the Oilers were once again stifled with every zone entry that they attempted. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl were contained while the dump and chase strategy that seemed to carry Edmonton into the final was rendered ineffective.

With Stanley Cup in the building, the Oilers could not change their strategy when it mattered most. To beat the best, you have to be the best and this includes being able to adapt on the fly. Unfortunately for Edmonton, they were boxed out by the Panthers defence and were unable to create good scoring chances. Simply put, the Oilers could not overcome Florida’s suffocating style.

Oilers played like a nervous team

Despite a fast start in this one, the Oilers seemed to play a jittery and nervous style for most of the game. Starting from Bouchard’s failed puck clear that led to the first goal, Edmonton seemed like they were more focused on avoiding a mistake rather than making a big play. Time and time again in their own zone, Edmonton focused more on clearing the puck through the air rather than making decisive passes into the middle of the ice.

As Edmonton’s confidence waned, the Florida forecheck became more decisive and punished Edmonton for their poor decision making. Edmonton may have played from behind for majority of the series but unfortunately tonight, the Oilers seemed like a shell of their confident selves that were able to overcome three goal deficits two games ago.

This season, Edmonton created a reputation and identity for themselves as the comeback kids. But after yet another Stanley Cup Final loss, the Oilers must find a way to rediscover themselves in a away that gets them one step closer to the greatest prize in sports.