After serving as a healthy scratch for the Florida Panthers in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final, former New York Islanders forward Kyle Okposo is back in the lineup for Game 7:
With the Panthers trying to shut the door on what would be a historically impressive feat by the Edmonton Oilers, Maurice decided to replace Okposo with Nick Cousins for Game 6 as the 36-year-old struggled to be effective in Game 5's 5-3 loss:
It wasn't Cousins' fault, but the Oilers dominated the Panthers, winning 5-1 to force a Game 7.
Okposo has not registered a point in the 16 playoff games he's skated in, but points aren't what matters to the veteran who may be hanging up his skates after a 17-year NHL career.
It's about hosting the Stanley Cup, the main reason why he asked to be moved at the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline from the Buffalo Sabres, where he spent the past eight seasons.
Puck drop for Game 7 is Monday at 8 PM ET on ABC and ESPN+