Back in the same locker room where Connor McDavid once had a profanity-filled outburst and an emotional finish to his first Stanley Cup Final, the Edmonton Oilers are hoping for a very different outcome this time.
Their next chance comes Monday night in Game 3 of their rematch against the Florida Panthers, with the series shifting to Sunrise after the teams split the first two games in Edmonton. The Oilers practiced under the Panthers’ championship banner, and players spent time in the same room where McDavid gave his emotional post-Game 7 interview during one of the toughest moments of his career.
Coach Kris Knoblauch acknowledged that no matter how much time passes, coming so close to the title will always linger in the mind. But now, the team is focused on the present and what they need to do moving forward.
Last year, the Panthers dominated at home, winning three of their four games and taking a 3-0 lead in the series. The Oilers fought back with victories in Games 4 and 6 in Edmonton and Game 5 in Florida before ultimately falling in a heartbreaking Game 7.
This isn’t the Oilers’ first return trip to Sunrise either—they visited the arena in late February and are familiar with the environment thanks to last year’s playoff run. Forward Connor Brown said this experience gives them an advantage, helping them know what to expect and allowing them to learn from past challenges.
The Panthers had a strong home record this season, going 27-12-2 in the regular season and 4-3 in the playoffs.
Florida’s Sam Reinhart noted that while playing at home comes with comforts like familiar surroundings and supportive crowds, once the puck drops, it’s a battle between the two best teams left standing.
