The Florida Panthers, once seemingly in control of the Stanley Cup Final, will try for a third time to wrap up their first NHL championship.
The Panthers were up 3-0 in the best-of-seven series against the Edmonton Oilers but lost 8-1 in Game 4 and 5-3 in Game 5, sending the series back to Canada for Game 6.
The Panthers will have to figure out a way to slow down Oilers star Connor McDavid, who has had back-to-back four-point games.
If the Oilers win on Friday night and force Game 7, it will be only the third time in NHL history that a team has rallied from 3-0 down in the Stanley Cup Final to reach the last game.
Follow along for live updates from Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final:
Oilers line changes
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is back with the Connor McDavid line. Warren Foegele goes to the Leon Draisaitl line.
Game 6 underway
Last game of the season in Edmonton, regardless of what happens.
Starting lineup analysis
Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch has put out this lineup first the last two games and it makes sense to start with it again. It has contributed three goals.
Matthew Tkachuk was the Panthers’ best player in Game 5 and goes out first. This is a physical line that can set the tone.
Florida Panthers’ starting lineup
F – Sam Bennett
F – Matthew Tkachuk
F – Evan Rodrigues
D – Aaron Ekblad
D – Gustav Forslund
G – Sergei Bobrovsky
Edmonton Oilers’ starting lineup
F – Adam Henrique
F – Mattias Janmark
F – Connor Brown
D – Evan Bouchard
D – Mattias Ekholm
G – Stuart Skinner
What time is Stanley Cup Final Game 6?
Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (6 p.m. local) on Friday at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta.
How to watch Stanley Cup Final Game 6
Game 6 will be shown nationally on ABC in the United States. It will be shown on Sportsnet and CBC in Canada.
How to stream Stanley Cup Final Game 6
Game 6 can be streamed on ESPN+ and Fubo.
Lineup change for Game 6
Nick Cousins is slotting onto the Panthers’ fourth line after seven games out. Kyle Okposo is coming out of the lineup. Cousins is an energy player who ranked sixth on the team in hits during the regular season. He has one assist in 11 playoff games.
According to ESPN, Oliver Ekman-Larsson is expected to move up the Panthers’ No. 1 power unit in place of Brandon Montour. Montour’s pass was intercepted in Game 5, leading to an Oilers short-handed goal.
Injured Oilers forward Evander Kane, who was considered a game-time decision, isn’t playing.
Connor McDavid approaching NHL playoff records
Connor McDavid has 11 points in the final, leaving him two points behind Wayne Gretzky’s 1988 record. He already has passed Gretzky’s record for assists in a postseason with 34. McDavid’s 42 playoff points place him fourth all-time behind Gretzky (47, 1985), Mario Lemieux (41, 1991) and Gretzky (43, 1988).
Leon Draisaitl seeking first goal of final
Oilers star Leon Draisaitl is still looking for his first goal of the Stanley Cup Final.
‘I’ve always been able to come back from stretches where I maybe haven’t been my best,” he told reporters on Friday. “It’s just myself being better. I hold myself to extremely high standards. If I don’t get to that, obviously I’m not happy.”
Stanley Cup Final Game 6 keys to victory
Oilers: Continue to be aggressive on special teams. The Oilers have scored two short-handed goals and three power-play goals in the last two games.
Panthers: Play like they did after falling behind 4-1 in Game 5. But do it earlier. Score early and try to take the crowd out of the game.
Read more keys to victory for Game 6
What is the projected goaltending matchup?
Oilers’ Stuart Skinner (13-8, 2.53 goals-against average, .898 save percentage) vs. Panthers’ Sergei Bobrovsky (15-7, 2.35, .906)
Stanley Cup Final Game 6 betting odds
Game 6 odds, via BetMGM:
Moneyline: Oilers -120; Panthers +100
Spread: Oilers -1.5 (+215); Panthers +1.5 (+215)
Over/under: 5.5 (over -115; under -105)
Florida Panthers’ Game 6 record this postseason
They are 2-0, beating the Boston Bruins and New York Rangers. They beat the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games.
Edmonton Oilers’ Game 6 record this postseason
They are 2-0, beating the Vancouver Canucks and Dallas Stars. They beat the Los Angeles Kings in five games.
Which teams forced Game 7 after losing first three games of Stanley Cup Final?
The 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs did it against the Detroit Red Wings and won Game 7. The 1945 Red Wings did it against the Maple Leafs and lost Game 7. The 2012 New Jersey Devils got to a Game 6 against the Kings but lost 6-1.
They are 3-4, losing their first opportunity against the Lightning and Bruins and their first two chances against the Oilers. They won their second chance against the Lightning and Bruins and beat the Rangers on their first opportunity.
Edmonton Oilers’ record in potential elimination games this postseason
They are 4-0, winning in Games 6 and 7 against the Canucks in the second round and in Games 4 and 5 against the Panthers.
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside.
#Score #updates #Panthers #Oilers #Game,
#Score #updates #Panthers #Oilers #Game