In the very locker room where Connor McDavid expressed his frustration after a heartbreaking Stanley Cup Final loss, the Edmonton Oilers prepare to rewrite their narrative. The stakes are high as they face the Florida Panthers in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, shifting the series to Sunrise after a split in Edmonton.
Monday night marks a pivotal moment for the Oilers, who practiced under the shadow of the Panthers' championship banner. The atmosphere is charged with memories, as players recall McDavid's emotional post-Game 7 interview that encapsulated the disappointment of their previous finals experience.
"No matter how much time passes, it'll always be on your mind when you get that close," said coach Kris Knoblauch, reflecting on the past. "We're at a new stage of our season or our path, and we're just focused on what we need to do right now."
The Panthers have proven formidable at home, winning three out of four games during last year's finals, including the first two matches that propelled them to a 3-0 series lead. The Oilers managed to secure victories in Games 4 and 6 in Edmonton and Game 5 in Florida, but ultimately fell short in Game 7.
This isn't the Oilers' first return to Sunrise; they faced the Panthers earlier this season on February 27. Familiarity with the arena could play a crucial role as they look to capitalize on their past experiences.
"Absolutely, there's a comfort level in that, and there's a benefit in that," forward Connor Brown noted. "You kind of know what to expect; you've been here, and you learn from experience. Having earned that experience last year should benefit us this time around."
During the regular season, the Panthers boasted a strong home record of 27-12-2 and have continued to perform well in the playoffs with a 4-3 record at home.
"It's never bad being in your own bed, having a nice home-cooked meal," said Florida's Sam Reinhart. "Once the puck drops, you might use the crowd a little bit. You might have that little extra energy. But at this time, it's the two best teams that are left standing. Once that puck drops, it's going to be a real battle regardless."
