Relentless McDavid Fuels Oilers' Hope for a Remarkable Comeback
Edmonton Oilers are narrowly missing the chance to flip the power dynamics in the NHL Finals. So far, they've only scratched the surface of a possible comeback; one mistake could cost them the championship. Top scorer Draisaitl remains goalless yet again.
A single shout, a brief moment of reliving tension: Connor McDavid cheered after the final whistle for merely a second, before focusing on the NHL Final once more. "We trust each other. We think we can pull it off, that we can achieve it all," declared Oilers captain McDavid following their 5:3 victory against the Florida Panthers in Game five - the first Stanley-Cup triumph in 34 years is starting to look possible again.
The Oilers have managed another consecutive win, presented the Panthers with their second missed match point. The Oilers have narrowed their deficit in the best-of-seven series from 0:3 to 2:3, momentum is on their side. "We had our backs against the wall and found a way," said game-winner McDavid. While Draisaitl missed out on scoring, McDavid led his team with two goals and two assists towards Game six. Now the Oilers are chasing history.
Only one team has previously managed to turn around a 0:3 deficit in the Stanley Cup Final. The Toronto Maple Leafs battled back against the Detroit Red Wings in 1942. Now the next Canadian team is aiming for the sensation. The Oilers are striving for their first title since 1990. Two more wins are needed. The objective for Game six (Saturday, 2 pm) is clear for Oilers fans: "I reckon the place will go wild, they'll be fired up," said Oilers forward Connor Brown. "We'll stick to our game plan and keep pushing."
So far, the Oilers have only half-achieved the comeback, but if they win the Final series, it would reflect the season's character of the Oilers. The team has found themselves in a tight spot several times this season: At the start of the season as one of the worst teams in the league, mid-season with the coach switch from Jay Woodcroft to Kris Knoblauch and the gradual improvement. In the playoffs, the Oilers also faced elimination several times, such as in the second round against Vancouver or in the Conference Finals against Dallas.
"It seems like we're pushing ourselves into a corner and really finding our groove there," declared Brown, a statement that might be seen as a threat to the Panthers: "We've found our groove."
Read also:
Draisaitl, a crucial member of the Oilers' ice hockey team, is currently in a scoring drought during their NHL Finals campaign. Despite this, Leon's teammates, fueled by Connor McDavid's relentless drive, are optimistic about turning their 2:3 deficit around, aiming to emulate the historical 0:3 comeback achieved by the Toronto Maple Leafs against the Detroit Red Wings in 1942.
