I want the Panthers to lose as much as anybody, and it sure seems like the Oilers have the momentum, but I wouldn't go counting the cats out just yet, for a few reasons:
- The Panthers have lots of playoff experience on that roster, and their big players, including their goalie, have been to the SCF before. How many big players on the Oilers have been to the SCF? That counts for something.
- Games 4–6, the pressure was all on the Panthers to close it out and not let the Oilers back in it. Oilers were playing for their lives. The team with the "do or die" ethic is more motivated.
- With a game 7, that dynamic has ended. Now both teams are on equal footing. It's do or die for both.
Now, I think the Oilers will likely take it. Their star players have finally woken up and started imposing their will the way the Panthers star players were earlier in these playoffs. And it may be that the Panthers have started to run out of steam. But it's still possible that the Panthers can find their swagger again for one last 60-min push.
Also interesting that either goalie could bring their lights-out game, or both could. Which means it could go to OT, and then the element of randomness steps in big-time.
Gonna be a hell of a game.