Pre-Game Talk: Final Game 6. Do or Die. That is the Pole.

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

Simple question.

Do?

Or Die?

Oilers have coughed up 2 major hairballs in this series, had to come from behind in 2 others for slim OT victories and blew a lead requiring yet another OT resulting in a loss.

They have continually played catch up and it showed Saturday with a pathetically tired and listless performance.

Goaltending has been spotty at best by both goaltenders so the Oilers will need the absolute best from Skinner next game (yes it will be Skinner).

I think we see Klingberg re-inserted into the lineup on Tuesday and JSkinner back to the press box.

But if we have as many passengers as we did Saturday and are chasing all game it’s likely over regardless how the goalie plays.

KK needs to make adjustments to the breakout and these lines and D pairings aren’t working at all.

But the Oilers - for some reason known only to the hockey gods - have yet to play their A game. Bring the A game and we can bring it home for a Game 7.

 

[McBigYak]

Everything that has happened previously is done. Fans will dwell on that game for a while but I imagine the players have put it completely out of their minds already.

One game at a time, get it back to Edmonton.

 

[Kerberos]

Wouldn't surprise me to see them squeak out a win in Florida only to get rolled in game 7 because this franchise loves to break our hearts in the most cruel way possible.

One thing's for certain, we are playing our worst hockey of the playoffs (outside of the first 2 LA games) at this point in the post-season. The lack of adjustments, the lackadaisical play from our best players and the inability to rise to the moment is downright depressing.

Shouldn't take speeches from Corey Perry to get these guys up for the Stanley Cup Finals. Game 5 at home in front of that energy and that's not incentive enough? Come on.

 

[CycloneSweep]

Everything that has happened previously is done. Fans will dwell on that game for a while but I imagine the players have put it completely out of their minds already.

One game at a time, get it back to Edmonton.

If the players have put it out of their minds they are just going to lose again although that makes sense. They seem to learn absolutely nothing from the previous game this series. Maybe they should dwell on it a bit so they can f***ing learn to stop spitting Florida multiple goal leads before they decide to show up.

 

[Niten Ichi Ryu]

1994: ECF, Messier and Rangers lose game 5, down 2-3 going into game 6. Then, the hockey world was blessed with the Mark Messier guarantee. Publicly stated the Rangers WILL push it to 7 games, on his word. They did, then they won game 7, then the Cup. Messier was so passionate and determined to win for New York, he staked his whole reputation to give the fans/media hope, and he delivered

We need a McDavid guarantee. I think we can all agree he hasn't been the Connor we all expected in the finals rematch. Would love to see that same Messier passion, the determination to win for Edmonton and Canada, by our McCaptain
Now he's not a talker, so a verbal statement isn't his forte. But his on ice statement needs to be bold, loud and at 110% effort, every single shift, and right out of the gate

Last year, we didnt see McDavid's final form until they were down 0-3, on the brink of elimination. If history repeats itself, the Connor McDavid show is going to premiere Tuesday evening, in Florida

They were in this exact position twice in previous seasons. 2022 vs LA, Oilers lose game 5, down 2-3 series going to LA for game 6, we know the rest. And 2024 vs Vancouver, Oilers lose game 5, down 2-3, we know the rest. It's a familiar spot, and the experience will come through

It was always destined to go 7 again, they will be back in Edmonton, and Friday night could be a night that unites the country, the city and hockey fans across the globe, as everyone wants to see Connor McDavid win a championship. But game 6 first. No one is giving us a chance anymore, and that's the position our Oilers always thrive in.
Tuesday, this city will be rejuvenated

 

[oilers4life5]

If Knob has any balls, he will sit Ek. Go back to our three pairs that worked most of the playoffs. Skinner in net and Ardvisson can sit, bring in Kap. Tell the PP and everyone else to shoot the damn puck and turn up the intensity to 10.

 

[Yablo21]

Skinner redemption tour, he is literally our only hope, the Oilers have shown they can't stop Panthers offense consistently, their gonna need some saves and he can do it!

 

[russ99]

Just seems typical with this group, they only really step up when their back is to the wall, so let’s at least get it to game 7 at home.

 

[CantHaveTkachev]

it's gonna be a hell of a legendary story when McDavid wills this team to 2 straight victories over the mighty Panthers

 

[CycloneSweep]

it's gonna be a hell of a legendary story when McDavid wills this team to 2 straight victories over the mighty Panthers

He’s either going to have a legendary story of an epic comeback or will be known as the best to ever not get it done. Either way a story is being written.

 

[CantHaveTkachev]

He’s either going to have a legendary story of an epic comeback or will be known as the best to ever not get it done. Either way a story is being written.

if they don't get it done this year, it doesn't mean he won't eventually do it

 

[tardigrade81]

Happy Father's day to all of you dads!

And to the ones who are lucky and have no kids to drive you nuts. Have a great day as well! Lol just kidding.

Anyway

I chose Do

Because I don't want the oilers to die

 

[Jay Harris]

This team seems to need to be backed into a corner before they fully engage... Not a good trait.
But, they are tight into a corner with only one way out that involves controlled desperation with all hands on deck.
How about try the concept of playing with a lead... It forces Florida to open up and they seem to be prone to odd man rushes at that point.
Finish EVERY check, EVERY puck battle matters and play with speed and urgency.

The series will now speak volumes about this group as Florida is beatable....
Go write some history men.

 

[FunkyChicken]

If Knob has any balls, he will sit Ek. Go back to our three pairs that worked most of the playoffs. Skinner in net and Ardvisson can sit, bring in Kap. Tell the PP and everyone else to shoot the damn puck and turn up the intensity to 10.

I would scratch Nurse.
Might even trigger him to waive his NMC.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

it's gonna be a hell of a legendary story when McDavid wills this team to 2 straight victories over the mighty Panthers

In the regular season.

I could see them winning game six only to go all Leafs in the deciding game.

The Panthers have allowed this team to stick around and we just let them have their way with us.

Last year there were a multitude of factors that decided the series. Health, experience, etc.

This year they are just far and away the second best team in every facet. They don’t want it enough. All that talk and all that posturing. And for that effort to come out tells me everything I need to know.

They better rewrite this ending because they aren’t getting back here again next year.

 

[McHelpus]

I honestly think Florida is going to blow us out. I hope I'm wrong, but the Oilers gave up.

 

[Duder54]

The Oilers play in this series, especially the past 3 games, gives me little reason to believe that they’re a match for the Panthers.

That said, I had little hope going into the playoffs after the way the regular season unfolded.

I’ve stopped counting out this team, but it would be nice if they stopped making it so hard on themselves, and us fans.

Hope dies last.

Let’s go Oilers.

 

[Duke74]

My guess is that they win Game 6 but lose in Game 7 at home. As another poster mentioned, this team likes to give us the ultimate cocktease just to break our hearts.

P.S. I love that we have all the trash from the mains coming to vote in our pole.

 

[FlameChampion]

Basically every time I think a team has momentum the other team wins. Wouldn’t surprise me if Oilers win game 6.

Florida been the better team for the vast majority of the series though.

 

[booyakasha]

I would scratch Nurse.
Might even trigger him to waive his NMC.

why?
this is equivalent to yelling at your wife when you had a bad day at work.
misplaced anger....you know full well who are to blame but refuse to acknowledge it.

 

[McShogun99]

I know it’s impossible but this series could already be 5-0 Florida. Both our wins we had to come from behind and win in OT. Florida has been the better team in most periods of this series and we haven’t even seen Bobrovsky steal a game. The team needs to buckle down and do whatever it takes the next 2 games because who knows when our next shot at a Cup will be.

 

[McShogun99]

I would scratch Nurse.
Might even trigger him to waive his NMC.

I think you mean Ekholm. He’s been complete ass since he’s come back and is clearly still injured.

 

[oobga]

Welp. Our team that only likes to start playing when their backs are up against the wall finally face elimination. Let’s see what we have left.

 

[foshizzle]

I think you mean Ekholm. He’s been complete ass since he’s come back and is clearly still injured.

Him pushing to play is a bit selfish in my opinion.

 

[Zerotonine]

Knoblach not announcing starter just yet, needs to discuss with coaching staff and more specifically Dustin Schwartz. Sorry but if you're leaning on Schwartz opinion for this we are straight fking cooked already