The Edmonton Oilers are standing on the edge of the Stanley Cup final, and they need to quickly find the rhythm in Game 7 to complete a stunning comeback from a 3-0 deficit to ultimately win the championship. In this season’s playoffs, Edmonton showed strong strength when they scored first, achieving a remarkable record of 13 wins and 5 losses. Faced with the upcoming decisive match, they are well aware that a positive start will have a profound impact on the game.
In the past three consecutive victories, the Oilers have all started with an early goal as the prelude to their victory. On Monday (8pm Eastern Time), in the 7th game held at Amerant Bank Arena, they were eager to replicate this successful model once again. However, coach Chris Noblauh also knows that even if he takes the lead, it doesn’t mean the game is secure.
“Scoring first undoubtedly relieves the team’s tension and makes the opponent more open on the offensive end,” Norbruch said at Saturday’s preparation meeting, “but the outcome of the game ultimately depends on who can seize more opportunities.”
According to statistics, the Oilers have a win rate of 13 wins and 5 losses in the playoffs when they score first. When facing the pressure of elimination, they showed strong fighting spirit and excellent opening performance, achieving a record of 5 wins and 0 losses. These data undoubtedly added confidence to the Oilers team, but Noblauh also emphasized that the outcome of the game depends not only on who scores first, but also on who can continue to play steadily in the game.
Looking ahead to the 7th game, Noblauh said, “Both teams will give their all, but sometimes, when the team becomes more desperate and works harder, it may also lead to more mistakes. And when these mistakes occur, they are the opportunity to score. Therefore, the trend of the 7th game is full of uncertainty.”
Despite facing enormous pressure and challenges, Noblauh is full of confidence in the team’s performance. He mentioned that both in the Stanley Cup final where they were trailing 3-0 and in the second round where they were trailing 3-2 to the Vancouver Celtics, the Oilers showed strong fighting spirit and outstanding performance. These experiences have made the team more united and confident, and have also accumulated valuable experience for them.
Regarding the lineup selection for the 7th game, Noblauh said, “I’m not sure what will happen, but no matter who plays, we will give it our all. In the first two games and the first two quarters of the third game, although we didn’t score, we created enough opportunities. I believe our players can seize these opportunities and bring victory to the team.”
As the game day approaches, the Edmonton Oilers are fully prepared. They will aim for a positive start and strive to achieve a stunning comeback in the Stanley Cup final.