Well, some kind of history is in the making. No team has been swept in the Cup Final since 1998 when the Washington Capitals got the dishonour. On the brighter side, a comeback from 3-0 is mathematically possible, but it’s only happened in the Final four times in NHL history, and only back in the days of the Original Six. Yes, I do smell burning toast.
It is interesting to hear that Edmonton seems to be falling apart the exact same way the Canucks did. In short, when it came down to crunch time they just forgot how to play hockey. I remember watching a few of the games in the Canucks vs. Edmonton series. First game I watched was an embarrassing performance by the Canucks where they just kept giving the puck to Edmonton and spending most of the game in their own zone. In the next game I watched, they remembered how to play again and more importantly, they remembered where the net was. The next and final game they were back to playing like old people screw - slow and sloppy. From what I have read, Edmonton can’t even manage that one good game in the middle. They have inherited what I call the Curse of the Blue Uniforms.
Having said that, as difficult as I am finding it to even think about rooting for Edmonton, I will be impressed if they win four games in a row. The final four possible games of the season and they need to win every single one of them. Stranger things have happened I suppose.
The last time it happened, the Nuremburg trials in the aftermath of WW II were just wrapping up. It doesn’t happen often!
Rooting for Edmonton, but definitely not optimistic and not placing any bets!
Yeah, I’m still watching because you never leave a hockey game. Your team is down by 2 with a minute to go? It’s not likely they’ll win it, but it does happen. The Stars have won one in that situation without going into overtime (jeebus, almost 30 years ago).
But the short and sweet version is: There’s a reason they play the games. Otherwise you’d just plug the regular season stats into a spreadsheet and award the cup based on that. Edmonton could pull it off. There’s only one real way to find out.
Well, as hard as it is for me to root for Edmonton they ate their goddamn Wheaties today. Second intermission as they are in the process of roflstomping Florida 6 to 1. That’s right, Florida. If you want that Stanley Cup tonight all you have to do is score seven more goals in the next twenty minutes.
I can not believe how similar this series and the NBA Finals series are.
Both started 3-0.
Both had a fourth game be a blowout from the losing team.
Mahaloth beat me to it. I was just about to say that the Oilers just had their “Mavericks Game Four” performance.
This would be a different series if the Oilers could have done this in a previous game. Impressive, and I hope they continue, but winning twice in Florida will still be a huge challenge.
8-1. Is this a record of some sort?
And yes, if only the Mavs and Oilers would have taken all this excess margin of victory and spread it out among their earlier three losses…
It’s up there. Some blowouts include:
13-3, 1987 Edmonton def LA Kings
8-0, 1991 Pittsburgh def Minnesota North Stars
Ah yes, where Mario scored one of his finer goals. (game 2, period 2)
(Too bad we had to hear Bob Cole again. Oh well.)
A beautiful move and goal!
Oilers leading 1-0 and will be starting the 2nd period with a power play. They still have a steep uphill climb, but this is how you climb out of a 3-0 series deficit – one game at a time.
Well, the Oilers are making it interesting so far, anyway.
Hey, you never know. It’s happened before.
What an intense second period! The Panthers really cranked up the energy and the Oilers now lead 4-2. The Stanley Cup is of course in the building, but much to the disappointment of Panthers fans there’s a good chance of a Game 6 back in Edmonton.
Don’t know if I have a prediction for what will go on in the 3rd, but it’s been a lively game and I’m always happy when cup series run long.
Yep, Edmonton wins. They are ahead 13-4 the past two games.
I am starting to see why they call him McJesus.
5-3 the final score. Oilers score an empty-net goal after two almost-goals during the 6 on 5. Game 6 is Friday, when the Oilers have a chance to make history, or at least do something that hasn’t been done since 1946 or 47, force a game 7 after being down 3-0 in a Stanley Cup Final.
That McDavid assist to Old Man Perry. Different kind of cup on the ice. Stupendous.