EDMONTON - If the Edmonton Oilers can show off their trademark resilience just one more time, they will make Stanley Cup history.
Depth forward Warren Foegele had a goal and an assist as the Oilers forced a decisive Game 7 in this year's Cup final with a 5-1 win over the Florida Panthers on Friday in front of a raucous Rogers Place crowd.
The win moved the Oilers closer to breaking Canada's Cup curse and has Edmonton on the cusp of becoming just the second team to come back from a 3-0 deficit in the final.
Forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, in his 13th season with the Oilers and the team's longest-tenured player, said it was "amazing" to pull out a win in their final home game of the season in front of 18,347 exuberant fans.
Florida Panthers' Eetu Luostarinen (27) looks on as Edmonton Oilers' Philip Broberg (86) and goalie Stuart Skinner (74) block the net during the first period of Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup final in Edmonton, Friday, June 21, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
- Jeff McIntosh
Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) is scored on by Edmonton Oilers' Zach Hyman (18) as Gustav Forsling (42) looks on during the second period of Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup final in Edmonton, Friday, June 21, 2024.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
- Jeff McIntosh
Florida Panthers' Eetu Luostarinen (27) and Edmonton Oilers' Cody Ceci (5) look for the rebound as goalie Stuart Skinner (74) makes the save during third period Game 6 action of the NHL Stanley Cup final in Edmonton on Friday, June 21, 2024.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
- JASON FRANSON
Oilers force Game 7 of Stanley Cup final with 5-1 win over Panthers
The puck drops as the Florida Panthers play the Edmonton Oilers during the first period of Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup final in Edmonton, Friday, June 21, 2024.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
- Jeff McIntosh
Florida Panthers' Nick Cousins (21) dodges a hit from Edmonton Oilers' Darnell Nurse (25) during first period Game 6 action of the NHL Stanley Cup finals in Edmonton, Friday, June 21, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
- JASON FRANSON
Edmonton Oilers' Warren Foegele (37) celebrates a goal against the Florida Panthers during first period Game 6 action of the NHL Stanley Cup finals in Edmonton, Friday, June 21, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
- JASON FRANSON
Florida Panthers' Eetu Luostarinen (27) looks on as Edmonton Oilers' Philip Broberg (86) and goalie Stuart Skinner (74) block the net during the first period of Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup final in Edmonton, Friday, June 21, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
- Jeff McIntosh
Florida Panthers' Sam Reinhart (13) battles for the puck with Edmonton Oilers' Adam Henrique (19) and Philip Broberg (86) during first period Game 6 action of the NHL Stanley Cup finals in Edmonton, Friday, June 21, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
- JASON FRANSON
Florida Panthers' Ryan Lomberg (94) and Edmonton Oilers' Evan Bouchard (2) battle for the puck during first period Game 6 action of the NHL Stanley Cup finals in Edmonton, Friday, June 21, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
- JASON FRANSON
Florida Panthers' goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) is scored on as Edmonton Oilers' Mattias Janmark (13) watches the puck go in during second period Game 6 action of the NHL Stanley Cup finals in Edmonton, Friday, June 21, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
- JASON FRANSON
Florida Panthers' Dmitry Kulikov (7) and Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid (97) battle for the loose puck during second period Game 6 action of the NHL Stanley Cup finals in Edmonton, Friday, June 21, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
- JASON FRANSON
Edmonton Oilers' Adam Henrique (19) celebrates his goal during the second period of Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup final against the Florida Panthers in Edmonton, Friday, June 21, 2024.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
- Jeff McIntosh
Florida Panthers' Aaron Ekblad (5) checks Edmonton Oilers' Dylan Holloway (55) as goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) looks on during the second period of Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup final in Edmonton, Friday, June 21, 2024.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
- Jeff McIntosh
Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch gestures during the second period of Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup final against the Florida Panthers in Edmonton, Friday, June 21, 2024.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
- Jeff McIntosh
Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) is scored on by Edmonton Oilers' Zach Hyman (18) as Gustav Forsling (42) looks on during the second period of Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup final in Edmonton, Friday, June 21, 2024.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
- Jeff McIntosh
Florida Panthers' Sam Bennett (9) checks Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid (97) during the second period of Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup final in Edmonton, Friday, June 21, 2024.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
- Jeff McIntosh
Edmonton Oilers' Ryan McLeod (71) celebrates a goal against the Florida Panthers during third period Game 6 action of the NHL Stanley Cup final in Edmonton on Friday, June 21, 2024.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
- JASON FRANSON
Florida Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk (19) is stopped by Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner (74) during third period Game 6 action of the NHL Stanley Cup final in Edmonton on Friday, June 21, 2024.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
- JASON FRANSON
Florida Panthers' Eetu Luostarinen (27) and Edmonton Oilers' Cody Ceci (5) look for the rebound as goalie Stuart Skinner (74) makes the save during third period Game 6 action of the NHL Stanley Cup final in Edmonton on Friday, June 21, 2024.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
- JASON FRANSON
The Edmonton Oilers score on an empty net during the third period of Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup final against the Florida Panthers in Edmonton, Friday, June 21, 2024.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
- Jeff McIntosh
Edmonton Oilers players celebrate a goal against the Florida Panthers during third period Game 6 action of the NHL Stanley Cup final in Edmonton on Friday, June 21, 2024.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
- JASON FRANSON
Florida Panthers players prepare to leave the ice after losing Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup final to the Edmonton Oilers in Edmonton, Friday, June 21, 2024.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
- Jeff McIntosh
Edmonton Oilers players celebrate the win over the Florida Panthers following Game 6 action of the NHL Stanley Cup final in Edmonton on Friday, June 21, 2024.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
- JASON FRANSON
“These fans have been behind us since I have been here and this season has been incredible. To be able to do the job tonight in front of them … it was really special,” said Nugent-Hopkins. “We know the job is not done and they know the job is not done, (but) we’re excited for the opportunity.”
The Stanley Cup has taken up residence south of the border since the Montreal Canadiens beat Wayne Gretzky's Los Angeles Kings in the 1993 final. It marked the eighth time in 10 seasons that a ϳԹ team had hoisted the iconic trophy.
Since then the Cup has lived in such non-traditional markets as Tampa, Fla., Los Angeles, Dallas, Raleigh, N.C., and Las Vegas.
Edmonton has a golden opportunity to bring the Stanley Cup home, but the job is not done. The Panthers will be looking to respond on home ice when the teams meet Monday in Game 7.
Six ϳԹ teams have advanced to the final but failed to break the curse since the 1992-93 Habs hoisted the Cup. Four of those finals have gone the distance, including Edmonton's seven-game loss to Carolina in 2006.
An Edmonton victory Monday will give the franchise its sixth Stanley Cup, but first since a Mark Messier-led team in 1990.
The Oilers enjoyed a dynasty in the 1980s when Gretzky led a talent-rich team to four Cups in five seasons.
The only team to win the Stanley Cup after falling into a 3-0 deficit is the 1941-42 Toronto Maple Leafs.
This report by ϳԹ was first published June 21, 2024.
