When the Edmonton Oilers lost to the Florida Panthers last season, they knew the only way from that bottom was up. So before their re-match of last season’s Stanley Cup Finals against the Panthers, their captain Connor McDavid came in with a confident response: “Of course—you’ve got to lose before you win.” But as it may, the confidence is fluctuating quite a bit for the team. In Game 4, they did make a comeback after trailing 3-0 in the first quarter to end the night 5-4 and tying the series 2-2. The Oilers won a massive game, but the job was not done. And losing Game 5 to give the Cats a series lead of 3-2 could only spell more troubles. 

The Panthers are a team that takes all of the oxygen out of the rink. Not to mention their goaltender who is emerging as a strong candidate for the Conn Smythe Trophy. Then there is the head coach who seems to have most, if not all, the answers. But if they find their discipline back? Well, they could re-write history. Quite literally; with this fact that Sportsnet Stats shared:

“The Oilers hope to become the 9th team to rally from a 3-2 series deficit in a best-of-7 #StanleyCup Final. Attached to the tweet was a list of teams who have bounced back in Game 6 and pushed for a series win. Currently, the Oilers are in a 3-2 position—exactly the same scenario faced by eight other teams in NHL history who went on to win the Stanley Cup by taking the final two games after trailing 3-2 in the series. Take a look:

The most recent team to bounce back after a 3-2 record in the Stanley Cup Final was Brad Marchand’s 2011 Boston Bruins. Before that, in 2009, the Pittsburgh Penguins won the Stanley Cup, even after Taylor Swift attended one of their games. Fans say the ‘Taylor Swift curse’ dooms teams to mostly lose if the pop queen attends their crucial games or meets star players. However, this theory has proven to be false multiple times. The most recent example is Jeff Skinner, who continued to perform well despite meeting Swift.

So, there are plenty of examples that prove the Cup can still be won, even when the other team is just one step away and your team is two steps behind. The only question now is: will the Edmonton Oilers become the ninth team on the list? Let’s see what happens. The Oilers need to win two more games, while the Panthers are just inches to defend their title.

The Panthers at just one game away…

The defending champions are on a roll, and do not look to slow down defending their title. And one of the reasons for their success came from the Bruins trade back in March. Brad Marchand scored two goals in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final to become the first 37-year-old veteran to score five goals in five games during the NHL postseason. He is the main threat to the Edmonton Oilers’ dream of ending their 35-year Stanley Cup drought. When asked about Game 5, Marchand didn’t state the obvious.

Marchand said, “It’s just how it plays sometimes. Sometimes you get bounces, sometimes you don’t. But definitely be grateful to be in this opportunity and have another opportunity to be in the Final and be part of a really good team, for sure.” Since he entered the city of Florida, Brad has scored 6 goals. No surprise he doesn’t make assists. But because of such classic plays, goal by goal, the Edmonton Oilers are skidding steps away from the Stanley Cup Final. 

To specifically discuss what the Panthers are doing right and what the Oilers are lacking would be a good starting point. Since Game 3, the Panthers have been starting games like the Lightning—and that’s where their chances of winning increase. Coming back in the second or third period is no easy task. While revealing the secret to success, Marchand said on couple of days ago, “It’s about staying connected, supporting each other, and finding strength in our collective spirit.” These are the key ingredients behind the Florida Panthers’ perfect victories.

Marchand is making headlines today after scoring two goals. But there is still plenty of firepower in the armor of the Panthers, and also in the armor of the Oilers. Edmonton has experience bouncing back. Now, with Game 6 approaching, they need just one more win to tie the series again. Let’s see if Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl can step up and help the Oilers become the ninth team in NHL history to complete a comeback from a 3-to-2 series deficit.