Panthers captain Sasha Barkov speaks after Florida's 8-1 loss on June 15. Back to Florida we go. Rogers Place was rocking on Friday, and the host Edmonton Oilers sent their fans home happy with a 5-1 victory in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final. The Florida Panthers have now blown a three-games-to-nothing lead in the Stanley Cup Final and must try to win a Game 7 at home, otherwise they’ll be on the wrong end of some pretty sad history. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNjE3OTM2NjIzMjQ4NDky/img_6014.jpg] A neutral zone turnover led directly to the game’s opening goal by Edmonton. Leon Draisaitl carried the puck into Florida’s zone, delayed for a second and found a cutting Warren Foegele at the back post at the 7:27 mark. The Panthers were only able to muster two shots on 12 attempts during the opening frame, a stark contrast from Edmonton’s 11 shots on 25 attempts. A 2-on-1 during the opening shift of the second period gave the home team a 2-0 lead thanks to Adam Henrique finishing the pass from Mattias Janmark at the 47 second mark. Florida thought they cut the lead in half moments later on a goal by Sasha Barkov, but the Oilers challenged for offside and got the tally wiped off the board. Replay shows the play was extremely close, and Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice was furious on the bench that officials elected to call it offside. Edmonton made it 3-0 late in the period when Zach Hyman scored on a breakaway that came directly off a Gus Forsling shot that was blocked in the Oilers zone. Sasha Barkov scored a gorgeous goal early in the third period to get the Panthers on the board, dangling the puck through a pair of Oilers before walking around a Stuart Skinner. That would be as close as Florida would get. Empty-net goals by Darnell Nurse ended the Panthers hopes at a late comeback. On to Game 7. Here are some thoughts and observations from Game 6 in Edmonton: Barkov’s goal was his eighth of the playoffs and second this series. He has five points in six Cup Final games. It took more than half the game for a Panthers forward to register a shot on goal. Florida failed to score on both its power plays and killed of Edmonton’s only man advantage. Verhaeghe’s assist on Barkov’s goal was his first point since Game 1 of the final. Now the Oilers are an impressive 64-for-68 on the penalty kill during the playoffs. Florida has been outscored by the Oilers 18-5 over the past three games. LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA The Hockey Show: Dennis Bernstein discusses the Stanley Cup Final, previews Game 6 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/the-hockey-show-dennis-bernstein-discusses-the-stanley-cup-final-previews-game-6] Highlighting Sasha Barkov, Panthers best active homegrown player: Brought to you by Upper Deck [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/highlighting-sasha-barkov-panthers-best-active-homegrown-player-brought-to-you-by-upper-deck] Panthers making roster moves ahead of Stanley Cup Final Game 6 in Edmonton [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/panthers-making-roster-moves-ahead-of-stanley-cup-final-game-6-in-edmonton] Nick Cousins to play in Game 6 of Stanley Cup Final, replacing Kyle Okposo [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/nick-cousins-to-play-in-game-6-of-stanley-cup-final-replacing-kyle-okposo] Consistency, scoring touch of Evan Rodrigues boosting Panthers during Stanley Cup Final [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/consistency-scoring-touch-of-evan-rodrigues-boosting-panthers-during-stanley-cup-final] Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxNjQxMjA5NjI4NzMxMDIz/unnamed.jpg]
