The Edmonton Oilers forced a Game 6 in the Stanley Cup Final after winning 5-3 in Game 5 on Tuesday. Coming back from a 3-0 deficit is no easy feat, but Connor McDavid and Co. have done just that against the Florida Panthers in the NHL.
In the history of the Stanley Cup Final, only a few teams have managed to overcome a 3-0 series deficit and manage to take the series to a Game 6. While the Oilers are not the first team to achieve this feat, they are in fact the first team to have done so on the road.
To date, only four NHL teams have forced a Game 6 after being down 3-0 in the Stanley Cup Final. However, there has only been a single team that forced a Game 6 and managed to go on and win the Stanley Cup in the end.
4 NHL teams that forced Game 6 coming back from a 3-0 deficit
#1. 2024 Edmonton Oilers
The most recent team to join this elite list is the 2024 Edmonton Oilers. The Alberta team found themselves in a tricky situation after they suffered three consecutive losses in the first three games against the Florida Panthers.
However, they secured an 8-1 victory in Game 4 and a 5-3 win in Game 5 to force Game 6. If the Oilers manage to win on home ice, it will take the series to a nail-biter Game 7.
#2. 2012 New Jersey Devils [Devils lose 4-2]
The New Jersey Devils went up against the Los Angeles Kings during the 2011-12 Stanley Cup Final. After losing the first three games, the Devils clawed their way back into the series by winning Game 4 by a 3-1 score and Game 5 with a narrow 2-1 victory.
Despite their efforts to push the series to six games, the Devils ultimately fell short, losing 6-1 in Game 6.
#3. 1945 Detroit Red Wings [Red Wings lose 4-3]
In the 1945 Stanley Cup Final, the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs met again after their 1942 Final encounter. Toronto started by winning the first three games, but Detroit fought back, as they won the next two 5-3 and 2-0 to force a Game 6.
The Red Wings then forced a final game by winning 1-0 in Game 6. In Game 7, Toronto clinched the series with a 2-1 victory, winning the Stanley Cup with a total series score of 4-3.
#4.1942 Toronto Maple Leafs [Leafs win 4-3]
The 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs are the only team in NHL history who not only forced a Game 6 after being down 3-0 in the series, but went on to win the Stanley Cup. They played the Red Wings in the Final, where they lost the first three games 3-2, 4-2 and 5-2.
However, the Maple Leafs turned their series around with a 4-3 win in Game 4 and a 9-3 win in Game 5. They went on to win the next two games 3-0 and 3-1 to clinch the Stanley Cup.
It now remains to be seen if the Edmonton Oilers can write their names in the history books next to the Leafs and stage a championship-winning Stanley Cup Final comeback.
Game 6 between the Oilers and Panthers at Rogers Place on Friday could see the Panthers clinch their first-ever Stanley Cup championship, but Connor McDavid and Co. seem to have momentum on their side to force a deciding Game 7.
