GAME REVIEW: Panthers 2, Oilers 1 (Game 7)

SUNRISE, FL – The Florida Panthers are the 2024 Stanley Cup champions.

After the Oilers fought back from 3-0 down in the Stanley Cup Final to force a Game 7, the Blue & Orange were unable to win the final game of the playoffs on Monday night, leaving them one game behind. came up short of lifting the Stanley Cup for the sixth time. time in franchise history after being defeated 2-1 at Amerant Bank Arena.

Sam Bennett’s go-ahead goal with 4:49 left in the second period ultimately ended up being the Stanley Cup-winning goal, beating Stuart Skinner’s short side under the glove with a wrist shot off the rush that stopped the Panthers to a 2-1 score. lead that would hold until the final buzzer of the 2024 playoffs, awarding Florida their franchise’s first championship since joining the NHL in 1993.

Mattias Janmark scored Edmonton’s only goal of Game 7 in the first period by tying the game less than three minutes after Carter Verhaeghe opened the scoring just 4:47 into the opening frame, giving the Panthers momentum on home ice that included would play a role. preventing the Oilers from making a historic comeback in the Stanley Cup Final.

Oilers captain Connor McDavid was held pointless for a second straight game in 25:42 of ice time on Monday, but would be awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as MVP of the 2024 playoffs after recording 42 points (eight goals) in 25 post -season competitions.

After falling one game short of the ultimate goal, the Oilers will look to win the final game of the playoffs next season when they return to the ice in October for the start of the 2024-25 NHL campaign.