The 2024 Stanley Cup Final has taken a dramatic turn, with the Edmonton Oilers storming back from a 3-0 deficit to force a decisive Game 7 against the Florida Panthers.
Connor McDavid has led the charge, posting eight points in the last three games, while the Panthers’ top scorers have gone silent. The Oilers’ comeback would be historic, marking the first time a team has overcome a 3-0 deficit in the Stanley Cup Final since 1942.
To put this feat into perspective, we can examine the Elo Ratings, which measure team strength and update after each game. After losing Game 3, the Oilers had a mere 3.3% chance of winning the series, while the Panthers had a 2.2% chance of coming back from a 3-1 deficit against the Boston Bruins in last season’s playoffs.
If the Oilers complete their comeback, they will have added an impressive 96.7 percentage points of championship probability, making their victory one for the ages.
This comeback would surpass other remarkable comebacks in sports history, including the Boston Red Sox’s 2004 ALCS comeback against the New York Yankees and the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 1942 Stanley Cup Final comeback against the Detroit Red Wings. The Oilers’ comeback would be a testament to their resilience and determination, and would cement their place in hockey history.
The stage is set for a thrilling Game 7, with the Oilers looking to complete their historic comeback and the Panthers fighting to regain their momentum. Will the Oilers’ momentum carry them to victory, or will the Panthers’ home-ice advantage and regular-season dominance prevail? The hockey world will be watching as these two teams battle for the Stanley Cup.