Edmonton Oilers can't 'drag 'em back to Alberta' for Game 7 showdown

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The best the Edmonton Oilers could have hoped for facing elimination in Tuesday's Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final was to be able to face another elimination game Friday.
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That was the consequence of a 5-2 loss in Game 5 on Saturday to the very same Florida Panthers the Oilers needed four straight wins against in last year's Cup final, after falling behind 3-0 in their previous championship go-round.
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So, the prospect of having to win two in a row this time couldn't have felt like mission impossible.
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The thing is, nothing comes guaranteed when Lord Stanley's mug is on the line, and what Edmonton ended up with Tuesday was anything but the best.
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Here are some takeaways from Florida's 5-1 win over the Oilers in Game 6 at Amerant Bank Arena:
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• It might have a year's worth of dust covering it, but the quote by Connor McDavid from last year's final still had fans in Edmonton hoping the Oilers could 'drag 'em back to Alberta.' This time, for what would have been Game 7 on Friday.
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It wasn't McDavid's most infamous quote from that Cup run, however. Thanks to a Prime Video camera giving us an intimate look inside the Oilers dressing room following a loss to the Panthers in Game 2 that year for, Faceoff: Inside the NHL, we saw the Oilers captain go on a memorable rant in effort to refocus his teammates.
'Dig the f–k in, right f–king now,' was the main takeaway.
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And you can bet that while those words didn't need to be spoken again, they were still echoing off the walls of the Oilers dressing room as they faced elimination for the first and only time in these playoffs Tuesday.
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In the end, the Oilers ended up digging their own graves with a dud of a performance in the one game that mattered most.
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• The Oilers decided to make another change in net and go back to Stuart Skinner for Game 6. And for good reason.
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When the pressure cranks up, so too do Skinner's stats. The 26-year-old came in with a record of 5-2 with a .910 save percentage and 2.11 goals-against average when facing elimination, including a 3-1 mark with a .935 save percentage and 1.76 goals-against average in Stanley Cup Final elimination games.
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In two of his three previous starts in the series, Skinner ended up getting pulled for Calvin Pickard, including Game 4, after the Oilers fell behind 3-0 in the first 20 minutes on the way to a 5-4 comeback win in overtime.
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• Had the Oilers not gone back to Skinner, it would have spoken volumes about not only what they think of the young hometown product, but also to his future with the club.
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A change in general manager since Skinner reached the all-star game as a rookie in 2022-23 means there are no loyalty ties from Oilers brass, and those questions still loom large. Skinner's current three-year contract, worth an annual $2.6 million, has him lined up to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of next season. But the possibility of a trade as early as this off-season exists.
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• And the Oilers were not very solid in front of Skinner early on, once again. In five straight games, the Panthers drew first blood. This time, it was the result of a turnover on the doorstep of Edmonton's zone by Evan Bouchard, the Oilers defenceman with a nose for the net, who has been accurately described as being dangerous at both blue lines. At this point, you have to ask when does his offensive upside no longer outweigh the defensive blunders that end up in the back of his own net?
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• The Oilers were looking to become the ninth team in NHL history to force a Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Final en route to winning the Cup: The 2011 Bruins, 2009 Penguins, 2004 Lightning, 2001 Avalanche, 1971 Canadiens, 1964 Maple Leafs, 1950 Red Wings and 1942 Maple Leafs.
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• Florida came in with an all-time record of 14-11 in potential series-clinching contests, with a 6-6 record at home, a 1-3 overall mark in the Stanley Cup Final and a 3-2 record in 2025. Edmonton came in 23-21 all-time when facing elimination, while holding a 6-3 record in the Stanley Cup Final, a 12-10 mark on the road and a 5-1 record in its last six games overall in that scenario.
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While last year's Cup final felt like the Oilers simply ran out of time, after bouncing back from a 3-0 series deficit to force Game 7, this year's rematch didn't feel nearly as close — despite three of the opening five games going to overtime. The Panthers were calmer, showed more bounceback, their stars outshone those of the Oilers and they were just the overall tougher team.
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• It was the second year in a row the Stanley Cup was presented to the Panthers after a game where McDavid was held off the stats sheet.
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• It was the fifth appearance in and fifth elimination from a Cup finals over the past six seasons by Corey Perry, 40, who was with the Dallas Stars in 2019-20, the Montreal Canadiens in 2020-21 and the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2021-22, prior to joining the Oilers last season.
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Edmonton Journal

an hour ago

• Edmonton Journal

These are the players Edmonton Oilers General Manager Stan Bowman should keep...and kick

Article content It is decision time. While the Edmonton players and their fans spend time dealing with the emotions of consecutive losses in The Stanley Cup Finals, the Oilers General Manager's job is instead to forge ahead immediately. Article content Stan Bowman has already signaled that his job is to keep this club in the running for Lord Stanley's mug and has suggested some areas where he will focus. It will mean retaining many players, but replacing others. So, who will he kick and who will he be compelled to keep? Article content Yes, there are automatics where you may go 'Duh, Leavins'! And yes, some of these guys have time left on their contracts, no move clauses, and other such things. But as I like to say: There is more than one way to skin a cat. You may be one of those who think the whole thing should be blown up. That is your prerogative. But I contend that a team that gets to the final in back-to-back years does not require major surgery. Parameters: We will rate any player still in the Edmonton organization from this regular season and/or playoffs that played a single game or more. That is thirty-four players, both skaters and goalies. The list is in order of regular season games played. Ready? Set? Go! Kick or Keep EVAN BOUCHARD. Keep. If you are one of the people who think Bouchard will not be worth the money he is sure to get in an extension or that he should be shipped out of town, all I can say is…give your head a shake. Article content CONNOR BROWN. Kick. Brown played his best hockey in five years. But he can get more elsewhere for what the Oilers should spend on a fourth liner. I would not hold that against him. BRETT KULAK. Keep. Hometown guy has contributed three consecutive seasons of excellent post-season performances plus his best regular season ever. VASILY PODKOLZIN. Keep. Value contract. Hard-to-play-against, younger player with a defensive conscience and good wheels. COREY PERRY. Keep. Yes, this club needs an infusion of youth. But it is clear the forty-year-old Perry is an important part of this team's DNA and is coming off an impressive year. Needs to be a value contract, though. There is substantial risk. ADAM HENRIQUE. Keep. Some will not agree, and I hear you, but Henrique proved his worth in the playoffs with stout defensive play and reliability in the faceoff circle. He is a good 3C on any competitive team. Article content MATTIAN JANMARK. Kick. I respect the players' contributions, but a twenty-something should have that roster spot. RYAN NUGENT-HOPKINS. Keep. As the cap rises his contract will remain a relative bargain. If his fine post-season performance is any indication, this fan favorite still has lots left in the tank. DARNELL NURSE. Keep. I can hear the detractors howling now. But look, even if I agreed with you who exactly is taking his contract? And at what transaction cost? TY EMBERSON. Keep. Young, physical, affordable, right shot D-man. Signed. ZACH HYMAN. Keep. As Joni Mitchell famously wrote, 'you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone.' JEFF SKINNER. Kick. Perhaps if the entire year had gone the way the back half did. But it did not. LEON DRAISAITL. Keep. Franchise player. Signed long-term. CONNOR MCDAVID. Keep. Franchise player. If you can, sign him long-term, too. Article content VIKTOR ARVIDSSON. Kick. Not without attributes but it has clearly not worked out for either side. TROY STECHER. Keep. Signed for another year on an impossibly cheap contract for his worth. MATTIAS EKHOLM. Keep. Until I see a 100% healthy Ekholm struggle like he did at the end of the Florida series, I will still believe he is a Top four D-man all day. KASPERI KAPANEN. Kick. Useful player like his tools. But let's be honest. You can find these guys in October for the league minimum. STUART SKINNER. Keep. So, you want to toss out a twenty-six-year-old home-grown goalie with fifty games of postseason experience and two cup appearances? With whom? And for how much? The G.M. owes it to the organization to cast about, but… DEREK RYAN. Kick. He plans to retire, though, so the decision is academic. Admirable career. CALVIN PICKARD. Keep. He has done nothing but help this franchise. Even if they acquired a third goalie, he would be excellent depth. Article content MAX JONES. Kick. No offence to the player, but the pro scout who liked him so much should be looking over his shoulder. JAKE WALMAN. Keep. Terrific acquisition, Bowman's best to date. A well-rounded, still young, all-situations D-man on a decent deal. NOAH PHILP. Keep. Big, still fairly young right-handed center. RFA. A two-way deal should be possible. Zero risk. JOHN KLINGBERG. Kick. Made a solid contribution, so much so that he can get better money elsewhere, like Connor Brown. And good for him if he can. JOSH BROWN. Kick. But who will take that contract? TRAVIS DERMOTT. Kick. Too tough of a lineup for him to crack. DRAKE CAGGIULA. Kick. Twice an Oiler, good pro, but time for someone a decade younger. MATTHEW SAVOIE. Keep. This team needs a youth infusion. Savoie looks NHL-ready. If he is not, then trade him. CAM DINEEN. Keep. A good, cheap pro for a team that desperately needed veteran d in Bakersfield. Article content OLIVIER RODRIGUE. Kick. If he has not made it by now… QUINN HUTSON. Keep. Organization is tragically short of young offensive prospects. TRENT FREDERIC. Keep. His type of player is rare. Do your best to see beyond the high ankle strain. Although I do worry about term for his player type. EVANDER KANE. So, can you replace what a healthy Kane brings for less? I get that some want to spend his $5.125m salary elsewhere. And injuries have become a concern at his age. But 1) I think it will cost a lot to trade Evander Kane and 2) You need more guys like him in the post-season, not fewer. I will relent and say Kick…but I reserve the right to repeat 1) and 2) if they ultimately choose to Keep him. In the weeks to come, I will be producing a series of articles where I dig deeper into some of these…particularly the ones I believe need to leave town. Stay tuned. Now on Bluesky @ Also, find me on Threads @kleavins, Twitter @KurtLeavins, Instagram at LeavinsOnHockey, and Mastodon at KurtLeavins@ This article is not AI generated. Recently, at The Cult… In memory of Bruce McCurdy, 1955-2025. Article content Latest National Stories

National Post

2 hours ago

• National Post

10 Thoughts: Top takeaways from the Roughriders win in Toronto

For a third straight game, the Saskatchewan Roughriders sealed a victory in the final minute. Article content While it was the Green and White's defence securing wins in the first two weeks of the season, on Friday in Week 3 of the CFL season it was Mario Alford and the special teams unit helping Saskatchewan improve to 3-0. Article content Article content After the Toronto Argonauts tied the game 32-32 with a touchdown in the final minute, Alford returned the ensuing kickoff 99 yards to clinch the victory. It was the highlight of the game, which featured plenty of good and bad for the Green and White. Article content 10 Thoughts Article content 1. This game was destined for overtime until Alford's kickoff return sealed the victory for the Roughriders. We highlighted Alford last week after his strong performance against Hamilton and he had another strong game on Friday, highlighted by his game-winning return. Earlier in the game, he also had a 35-yard return which he cut back inside to gain a few more yards instead of going out of bounds like he started doing last year. The league's top special teams player in 2022 has silenced any and all doubters at this point. Article content 2. Either the Roughriders defence wasn't ready to play or the Argonauts dialed up the perfect play calls on their opening drive. Nick Arbuckle was six-for-six and threw a touchdown pass to Dejon Brissett on the opening drive of the game to give the home team a 7-0 lead. Bend and break. However, Saskatchewan's defence rebounded nicely with three straight two-and-outs before forcing a turnover on downs on the next drive. But then the group couldn't get a stop in the final minute like they did in the previous two weeks. They're still one of the best groups in the league. Article content Article content 3. Speaking of that turnover on downs, it came at the end of a 17-play, 76-yard drive. There aren't too many 17-play drives that end in zero points. There aren't many 17-play drives in general. Article content Article content 4. A.J. Ouellette is back to his all-star form. Following a 96-yard performance last week against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Ouellette had 91 rushing yards and a touchdown against the Argos. He also pulled off a near identical touchdown run this week as he rumbled 25 yards into the end zone off the right side of the offensive line. He's looking like a patient runner this year and you have to wonder if the weight he dropped this off-season is also helping his game. Article content 5. It was Samuel Emilus leading the way in Week 1 and KeeSean Johnson in Week 2. On Friday night, it was Dohnte Meyers' turn as he had a team high 125 receiving yards and two touchdowns for the Riders. With Emilus and Kian Schaffer-Baker on the injured list, the rest of Saskatchewan's receivers are stepping up, including Meyers and veteran Mitch Picton, who had a highlight-reel 33-yard catch in the game.

CTV News

3 hours ago

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‘Left in the dark': Windsor man stuck in Tel Aviv still waiting on help from Ottawa

A Windsorite trapped in Tel Aviv a full week after conflict between Israel and Iran flared up. A Windsorite trapped in Tel Aviv says he's finally heard from Canadian officials, but he's still stuck in a region on edge, a full week after conflict between Israel and Iran flared up. Panagiotis Mavridis travelled to Israel earlier this month to run a hockey team in the Israeli Hockey League. He landed June 3, expecting a summer of beach days and game nights. But everything changed ten days later. 'I was here for a week and a half without any sirens, nothing like that. It was very chill,' said Mavridis. 'Now there's sirens every day.' The 21-year-old says there were up to five alerts a night at the height of the attacks, forcing him and a dozen teammates to shelter repeatedly in a Tel Aviv hotel bunker. 'We were going on literally two hours of sleep, three hours of sleep a night,' he said. That tension began June 13, when Israel launched a surprise strike on Iranian targets in Syria. Iran responded with a barrage of drones and missiles. Since then, Ottawa has advised Canadians to avoid all travel to Israel and reiterated longstanding warnings about travel to Iran. Mavridis says he reached out to the Canadian embassy as soon as the conflict erupted, but says the response was disappointing. 'They basically told us not to rely on them and stuff like that. You know, basically that they had no plans,' he said. Mavridis says he loves Canada, but can't help but feel frustrated. 'Every other country is doing stuff for their people that are stuck here,' he added. 'And we were just kind of left in the dark for a bit.' With the hockey season now suspended, Mavridis says the focus for him and other Canadian players has shifted to getting out. Canadian officials eventually told him that trying to reach a neighbouring country could be one option — he says that brings its own challenges. 'Our question was, how are they going to go there?' said Mavridis's mother, Vassi Talampassi, speaking from Windsor. 'It's very dangerous. It's a war zone. They cannot cross the country to go to Jordan or Egypt.' Global Affairs Canada confirms it has stationed consular officials in neighbouring countries, including Jordan, Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan, for Canadians who manage to make it out. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says the federal government is working on commercial travel options but didn't announce a formal evacuation. 'We are planning commercial options for Canadians in Israel and Iran to leave the region through certain neighbouring jurisdictions,' Anand told The Canadian Press Thursday. Mavridis says his group of Canadians have registered with Global Affairs Canada, filling out the required forms and submitting their travel documents. But so far, they haven't been told when or how they'll be leaving. 'We can't really leave the area,' Mavridis said. 'We've just kind of been sitting here talking, doing research on how to get out of here. There's nothing really safe for us to do right now.' His mom says that limbo has taken a toll. 'We are — me and his father and his brother also — it's very stressful,' she said. 'We went through serious health issues as a family, and now this is just another thing we have to face.' On Thursday night, Mavridis said he finally got an email update. 'They said that they are going to start making plans for commercial flights,' he said. 'We haven't heard anything since then… but we did get news.' He's hopeful it means the end of his stay in Tel Aviv is near. 'My birthday's on June 30th, so hopefully I'm there for that.'