The Florida Panthers faced a tough loss against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final. Despite holding a 3-0 series lead, the Panthers were unable to secure the win, leading to a Game 7 on Monday night. This pivotal game will determine whether the Panthers will celebrate a great escape or face the embarrassment of watching the Oilers claim the Cup on their home ice.
One of the key moments of the game was when a goal by Aleksander Barkov was waved off after an Edmonton challenge for offsides in the second period. This decision sparked controversy and frustration among the Panthers, while the Oilers celebrated the turn of events. Despite this setback, the Panthers struggled offensively throughout the game, setting a season-low with only two shots on goal in the first period.
Key players like Sam Reinhart and Matthew Tkachuk failed to make a significant impact, with Reinhart not registering his first shot on goal until late in the game. The Panthers’ power play also faltered, going scoreless in three opportunities and only converting one out of nineteen chances in the series. The team’s defensive performance also took a hit, giving up a total of 18 goals in the last three games of the series.
This drastic turnaround in performance has shifted the momentum in favor of the Oilers, who have outscored the Panthers 20-5 in the last 10 periods of play. The Panthers now face a daunting challenge in Game 7 as they look to regroup and reclaim their early series dominance. The outcome of this final game will determine the fate of both teams and ultimately decide the 2022 Stanley Cup champions.