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Stanley Cup Final: Five Oilers who need to step up or Edmonton is done
Edmonton Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Stanley Cup Final: Five Oilers who need to step up or Edmonton is done

After a dominant 6-1 Game 3 win, the Florida Panthers are now two wins away from back-to-back Stanley Cup championships. Their physical play and ability to get under their opponent's skin shined Monday night, as Edmonton took a whopping 85 penalty minutes, the most for a team in the Finals since 1986.

Frustrations were clearly running high for the Oilers. With just one goal from Corey Perry in Game 3 and just two goals from outside their top six in Games 1 and 2, it's clear Edmonton's depth needs to step up. With that being said, here are five players that need to show up if the Oilers want to come back.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, forward

Nugent-Hopkins is currently fourth on the Oilers in scoring this postseason but hasn't managed to secure a point in the Finals and is a -3 so far. The former number one overall pick has been a big part of Edmonton's top line with Connor McDavid and Corey Perry, which has an expected goals percentage of 56% in the playoffs, according to MoneyPuck.

If the Oilers want to win the Cup, they'll need Nugent-Hopkins to start producing again, especially with winger Zach Hyman out for the postseason with injury.

Darnell Nurse, defenseman

Nurse has the third highest average ice time for the Oilers in the postseason but hasn't put up as many points as Edmonton would want. He hasn't scored a goal since Game 2 against Vegas and has no points in his last seven games.

While Nurse isn't necessarily expected to produce like fellow defender Evan Bouchard, he plays a big role in their top four defense. The Oilers will need one of their longest tenured players to have a big Game 4 to help spark a comeback.

Trent Frederic, forward

Frederic was one of Edmonton's acquisitions at the trade deadline, adding needed grit and depth to its forward group. The former 18-goal, 40-point scorer hasn't had much success for the Oilers in the playoffs, scoring just one goal and adding three assists. Those four points rank 13th out of 14 forwards for Edmonton.

Frederic also has just 10 hits this series. If the Oilers want to counter the Panthers' physical play, they'll need Frederic to use his 6'3" 221 pound frame to spark some offense.

Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, forwards

While it may seem strange to see McDavid and Draisaitl, who lead the playoffs with 31 and 29 points, respectively, on this list, it's clear the Oilers go the way of their superstars. McDavid does have five assists in the series, including this highlight reel one.

However, he has yet to score a goal in the Finals and has just six total in the postseason. Likewise, Draisaitl does have three goals in this Final, but just one of those is even strength, and he has just one even strength assist.

Of course, both are playing at an elite level, but, given the struggles Edmonton's depth has had against Florida, unfortunately for the Oilers, they'll likely have to produce even more or they'll once again be watching the Panthers hoist the Cup.

Natalie Vaitas

Natalie Vaitas is a sports writer based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She received her Sport Management degree from Aquinas College in 2021, where she was a member of the women's hockey team. She has experience covering the NHL and her hometown Detroit Red Wings; she also enjoys attending Michigan football games with her family. 

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