McDavid, Oilers Force Game 7 as NHL Fans Rip Tkachuk, Panthers for Blown Series Lead | News, Scores,

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EDMONTON, AB - JUNE 21 : Edmonton Oilers Right Wing Zach Hyman (18) celebrates his goal the third of the game, on Florida Panthers Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) in the second period of game four of the Stanley Cup Final Round Edmonton Oilers game versus the Florida Panthers on June 21, 2024 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB. (Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The 1942 Detroit Red Wings stand as the only team in NHL history to lose a Stanley Cup Final despite holding a 3-0 series lead.

Eighty-two years later, the Panthers now desperately hope to avoid that ignominious fate after losing Game 6 to the host Edmonton Oilers 5-1 on Friday evening.

Greg Wyshynski @wyshynski

The Panthers have gone from being one win away from the greatest moment in franchise history to (potentially) one loss away from one of the biggest chokes in sports history.

If they don't stop bleeding goals, then Florida is joining Detroit, which was outscored 19-7 by the Toronto Maple Leafs from Games 4-7 to lose the championship round.

The Panthers have allowed 18 goals in the past three games, losses of 8-1, 5-3 and 5-1 scores.

Meanwhile, the Panthers' offense has been toothless, as best evidenced Friday by a two-shot first period.

Florida was lucky enough to escape the first 20 minutes losing just 1-0 thanks to a Warren Foegele goal, but it only took 46 more seconds for that to change when Adam Henrique potted one for the Oilers early in the second.

Edmonton Oilers @EdmontonOilers

RICO DOUBLES THE LEAD ‼️ <a href="https://t.co/KWBn1YDqq0">pic.twitter.com/KWBn1YDqq0</a>

And then Zach Hyman extended the lead to 3-0 with 1:40 left in the period.

Edmonton Oilers @EdmontonOilers

ZMH BREAKS AWAY 🤩 <a href="https://t.co/wWi4pEWRjH">pic.twitter.com/wWi4pEWRjH</a>

It was a disastrous result for the Panthers, who only allowed four shots on goal all period but saw two go in.

Florida finally got on the board 1:28 into the third off an Aleksander Barkov goal.

Florida Panthers @FlaPanthers

Sasha with the silky mitts <a href="https://t.co/d50lCejKkm">pic.twitter.com/d50lCejKkm</a>

But that was it. Two empty-netters from Ryan McLeod and Darnell Nurse poured salt on a gaping wound.

Florida is fortunate enough to play at home in Game 7, but it's fair to wonder where this team's at right now. As sensational as this team has been most of the season, Florida has done a complete 180 in a matter of a week-plus.

Things can certainly change in a course of a few days, but right now, it's fair to be pessimistic about this team. And right now, that's the case for many fans and analysts alike.

Ava @avatarrant

the florida panthers after going up 3-0 in the series <a href="https://t.co/mA5bJLBB9Y">pic.twitter.com/mA5bJLBB9Y</a>

BarDown @BarDown

Panthers fans thinking their 3-0 series lead was safe:<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StanleyCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StanleyCup</a> <a href="https://t.co/AtxAHvYMNC">pic.twitter.com/AtxAHvYMNC</a>

Sopranos World @SopranosWorld

Florida Panthers fans with the team facing a game 7 <a href="https://t.co/zq0VxeReHW">pic.twitter.com/zq0VxeReHW</a>

Hans @S7Dsn

Times like this I wish the NHL had more reach because the Panthers should be getting absolutely cooked by the sports world for blowing a 3-0 lead in a final

Mike Golic Jr @mikegolicjr

has anyone tried unplugging the Panthers and plugging them back in?

y - Jacob @ PantherPourri, a @FlaHockeyNow Podcast @PTPJacob

Once upon a time, the Panthers had four chances to win one game. Now they're on the verge of the greatest Stanley Cup Final collapse in the history of the NHL. This is an embarrassment. Nothing short of a punch in the face to the fans who have stuck with this team through so much

y - Dylan @miamiguydylan

The Panthers have just collapsed. I have zero idea what has happened to them that they are now deciding to play their worst hockey of the season. Really disappointing

Strictly 4 My X'ers @Lizzs_Lockeroom

Us looking at Panthers fans after being up 3-0… <a href="https://t.co/9rSXk4i6mm">pic.twitter.com/9rSXk4i6mm</a>

James Nichols @JamesNicholsNHL

There needs to be a case study on this Panthers free fall.

Jason Brough 🙁 @SadClubCommish

As Commissioner of the Sad Club, I am pondering a special resolution granting the Panthers early acceptance if they lose this series. Typically it's a 40-year requirement, but this would be unmatched sadness, and besides we need the dues.

Eric Fisher @ericfisher

Florida Panthers rn <a href="https://t.co/eA6ef5wf5Z">pic.twitter.com/eA6ef5wf5Z</a>

Mike From Woburn @MikeFromWoburn

The Florida Panthers are a game away from the most embarrassing choke since the 2004 Yankees.

Game 7 will go down on Monday at 8 p.m. ET in Sunrise, Florida.

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