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Within the seemingly perennial back-and-forth between Oilers and Leafs followers, the yr “1967” is usually thrown about.

However that outdated chestnut has at the least quickly been changed with “1942”.

The one staff in NHL historical past to have overcome a 3-0 sequence deficit within the Stanley Cup Ultimate and win it was the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs. That may turn into one of many few issues that Syl Apps and Connor McDavid have in widespread.

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The 2024 version of the hardest match within the phrase has come all the way down to that, a single Sport 7, after the Oilers stormed again from a 3-0 deficit to the Florida Panthers.

Now, it’s “winner take all.” However what will get the Oilers the remainder of the best way to the final word aim?

That and extra on this version of…

9 Issues

9. I used to be glad to be again in Edmonton this week, taking within the buzz surrounding this Stanley Cup run and catching up with a number of media colleagues. It particularly struck me as I walked down 104^th Ave to Rogers Place simply how the Ice District mission has reworked each the hockey membership and Edmonton’s downtown. Would have that Sport 6 even occurred with out it?

8. It doesn’t matter what occurs in Sport 7 on Monday night time, Kris Knoblauch is without doubt one of the nice tales of this yr. A rookie NHL coach arrives together with his staff on the backside and guides them to the final recreation of the Stanley Cup Ultimate. Would you not must assume the possession of the New York Rangers is furious that its personal administration group wrongly assessed this man? I imply…you had him and simply let him go.

7. Talking of which, will we see lineup adjustments for the Oilers in Sport 7? I’ve been one of many individuals saying that when Evander Kane is wholesome sufficient to be Evander Kane once more, you set that man again in. However I’ll admit that I’m waffling on my stance. On one hand, I firmly imagine {that a} wholesome Kane makes you higher. However on the opposite issues have gone SO effectively for the Oilers. Ryan McLeod scored Friday. Dylan Holloway was +2. Derek Ryan went 78% on attracts, and so forth. Do you dare screw with success?

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6. Over the primary two rounds of the Edmonton Oilers playoff run I believe Leon Draisaitl would have been the membership’s finest shot on the Conn Smythe. Evan Bouchard has even been talked about. And into the ultimate spherical, Connor McDavid’s title has risen to the highest of the checklist (he’s the odds-on favourite, win or lose come Monday). But when the membership is ready to come all the best way again and win all of it, does Stuart Skinner not get at the least some consideration? In Video games 4-7 of those playoffs Skinner is 10-0, his GAA 1.50, his SV% .940. Are you in Sport 7 with out him?

5. The Coach’s Problem on what would have been the 2-1 aim on Friday night time was the turning level of that recreation. I admit it was by a razor-thin margin. However who cares how shut it was? That’s largely immaterial. Those that didn’t like the decision are lacking a important truth. The offside is without doubt one of the most black-and-white calls that exists within the recreation. Many Canadians study the rule once we are 5: Did the person proceed the puck into the zone or did he not? Nicely…sure, on this case he did. Nowhere does it learn “Nevertheless it’s o.okay. if its simply by a little bit bit”. I’ll add this: It took some huge, brassy ones for Kris Knoblauch to make that decision. And numerous perception in his PK items.

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4. I’ve numerous respect for the work of hockey author Frank Seravalli. First, Frank is greater than keen to place within the work to function at such a excessive degree. The actually good ones work at it. However Saravalli additionally has the dear present of having the ability to clearly see issues for what they’re, versus how most people could understand them to be. For instance, I’ve written on this area simply how good of an acquisition Adam Henrique was. Henrique is so sensible and succesful in all three zones and in all conditions. And as Frank identified Friday, Henrique now has two objectives on this Stanley Cup Ultimate. And each had been successful objectives. That’s the reason the membership went out and obtained him. Ken Holland confronted some criticism for his deadline work. However the backside line is that Holland’s guess on Henrique has already paid off handsomely.

3. Particular offensive gamers see issues that you simply and I can’t. Their instincts exist on a better degree. They’ve a singular vantage level. That’s the reason any coach value his salt will commerce a little bit little bit of defence for a man that’s nice on the hardest factor within the recreation: Rating. Whilst you need them to develop into well-rounded performers, you shouldn’t attempt to flip these guys into Rod Langway or Doug Jarvis. I imply that with all due respect to each of these males. Terrific gamers every of them with glorious legacies. And also you want these sorts of items on a staff to win. However additionally it is far simpler to search out that sort of participant. What makes the actually gifted ones such valuable gems? What they’re the best possible at what additionally occurs to be the toughest to do. It’s what makes them elite. That brings me to Evan Bouchard and Leon Draisaitl.

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2. One among my only a few quibbles with Evan Bouchard has usually been with how a lot or little depth he defends with. I can abdomen sincere errors for causes acknowledged within the earlier paragraph. Hockey is a recreation of errors. However Evan Bouchard’s depth degree has elevated by a number of notches this submit season. It now exhibits within the sterling play we’re seeing from him in his personal zone. Bouchard is even pushing guys round, the latest instance being the Stenlund hit on Friday. Unsure we thought we might ever see that. And Bouchard’s offece speaks for itself. As for Leon Draisaitl, he had a unbelievable two-way effort Friday. Two performs stood out. One is the apparent, chic saucer cross to Warren Foegele on the 1-0 aim. Now there’s a excellent instance of the afore-mentioned man (Leon) who’s nice on the very hardest of issues. But I additionally admired the much less flashy Leon Draisaitl on the Ryan McLeod empty netter. Draisaitl wins a race to the puck after which takes the hit alongside the wall in his personal zone as a way to make a defensive play that helped salt the sport away.

1.The final time the Edmonton Oilers had an opportunity to win the Stanley Cup was Sport 7 of the ultimate in 2006. I used to be dwelling in Edmonton then. So, such as you, I perceive how that sort of factor could solely come round each 18 years or so. Hardly ever, a particular staff could string a few cup wins collectively. However in in the present day’s wage cap period doing greater than that’s rattling exhausting. So, as the nice Stevie Winwood as soon as sang, “when you see an opportunity take it.” It’s the lifetime alternative that the majority of those athletes dreamed of as children whereas skating on the yard rinks many people additionally did once we had been younger. These gamers have spent their total skilled careers not simply making an attempt to achieve these goals however to actually have a stab at it. In consequence, I anticipate the Oilers to play their finest recreation of the season on Monday. However I might by no means be shocked if Florida brings it, too. Each golf equipment perceive how shut and but how far-off they’re from their final hockey aim.

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Is there a favourite going into Sport 7? I’m not positive there’s. Edmonton is on a significant league roll. And that may simply really feel like future. However I’m not an enormous believer that momentum carries over a lot in any respect within the playoffs. There will be so many inflection factors in any single recreation. There’s a lot that you don’t management. If the Oilers don’t hit the ice Monday night time and create their very own momentum it’ll matter not a whit whether or not they have gained their final three elimination video games. They are going to be in huge, huge bother. But when they dictate the tempo I’m not positive Florida can beat them at that recreation.

What I do imagine in, although, is confidence. Confidence breeds success. And that’s extra more likely to be the large distinction maker in Sport 7 for both squad. Confidence can port from one night time to a different. And the Oilers have displayed a great deal of that over the past three video games.

Heading into Monday, all these gamers on either side could also be saying the correct issues.

The Edmonton Oilers look assured and free once they achieve this.

However the Panthers, however? Look shook.

Drop the puck.

Now on Threads @kleavins. Additionally, discover me on Twitter @KurtLeavins, Instagram at LeavinsOnHockey, and Mastodon at KurtLeavins@mstdn.social. This text will not be AI generated.

Just lately, at The Cult…

McCURDY: The Oilers stave off elimination but once more, power Sport 7

STAPLES: McDavid drags Panthers again to Edmonton for Sport 6

LEAVINS: Perception on show as Oilers power Sport 5

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