The Oilers Face Elimination as the Panthers Seek a Sweep in Pivotal Game 4 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final

The stakes couldn’t be higher as the puck drops on Game 4 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final tomorrow night in Edmonton. With the Florida Panthers holding a commanding 3-0 series lead over the Edmonton Oilers, they now stand just one win away from capturing the franchise’s first-ever Stanley Cup. For the Oilers, who entered this series with sky-high expectations and a roster built around generational talents like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the focus has turned to survival. They must now summon their best performance of the season to avoid being swept in front of their home crowd at Rogers Place.

The game is set for 8:00 PM ET and will be broadcast on NHL on TNT, Sports on Max, Sportsnet, and TVA Sports. This pivotal showdown, dubbed “Make Your Pick presented by Canadian Tire,” marks a defining moment in both franchises’ histories—and a true test of grit, pride, and championship urgency.

Florida has dominated the series in every sense. After narrowly edging out Edmonton in Game 1 with a 3-0 shutout, the Panthers followed up with two convincing wins—4-1 in Game 2 and 4-3 in Game 3—displaying a well-balanced mix of offensive depth, relentless forechecking, and airtight goaltending from Sergei Bobrovsky. The veteran netminder has been nothing short of spectacular, stifling every Edmonton surge and flashing vintage form as he continues to backstop the Panthers’ postseason dream.

Led by captain Aleksander Barkov, who returned from a heavy hit in Game 2 to play a key role in Game 3, the Panthers have found production up and down their lineup. Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Reinhart have been clinical finishers, while Matthew Tkachuk continues to be the emotional catalyst and physical presence driving Florida’s momentum. The Panthers’ blue line, anchored by Aaron Ekblad and Gustav Forsling, has successfully shut down Edmonton’s top guns, frustrating McDavid and Draisaitl with physicality and smart positioning. Add to that the Panthers’ tenacity on the penalty kill and their ability to capitalize on Edmonton’s miscues, and it’s clear why they have taken full control of the series.

Yet, despite being one game from elimination, Edmonton’s locker room still holds onto belief. The Oilers have shown flashes of the speed, skill, and offensive prowess that propelled them to the Final, but consistency has eluded them. McDavid, in particular, has yet to find the back of the net in the series, and the Oilers will desperately need their captain to deliver a signature performance in Game 4. Leon Draisaitl, too, must elevate his game. While both players have generated chances, Florida’s ability to clog passing lanes and collapse around the net has made life extremely difficult for the Oilers’ stars.

Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch is expected to make tactical adjustments heading into Game 4, possibly altering line combinations and power-play units to create more offensive rhythm. Edmonton’s top-heavy reliance on McDavid and Draisaitl has been both a strength and a weakness. When those two are clicking, the Oilers can dominate. But when they’re neutralized, the team struggles to generate enough secondary scoring. Players like Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Evan Bouchard must find another gear to give Edmonton any chance of extending the series.

One of the more pressing concerns for the Oilers has been goaltending. Stuart Skinner has had moments of brilliance, but also moments of vulnerability, and with the season on the line, he’ll need to be rock-solid in Game 4. A quick goal from Florida could deflate the Edmonton crowd and team confidence, so Skinner’s performance in the early minutes will be critical.

For Florida, the message is simple: finish the job. The Panthers came heartbreakingly close to hoisting the Cup last year before falling to Vegas in five games. That bitter memory has fueled their resolve throughout this postseason. They’ve matured, become more disciplined, and most importantly, learned how to win close games. Paul Maurice’s squad doesn’t panic, doesn’t take unnecessary risks, and doesn’t let leads slip away.

Game 3 showcased that evolution perfectly. Edmonton jumped out to a lead early, and for a moment, it felt like the Oilers might claw back into the series. But Florida stayed the course, with Verhaeghe scoring the game-winner and Bobrovsky slamming the door in the final stretch. The Panthers’ ability to counterpunch and suffocate their opponent late in games is a defining trait of this run. If they can replicate that composure in Game 4, the Stanley Cup will be theirs.

Historically, only four teams in NHL history have come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a best-of-seven series. The Oilers are trying to become the fifth. But first, they need one win—just one—to give themselves a glimmer of hope. That means getting back to what made them dangerous earlier in the playoffs: dynamic puck movement, quick zone entries, and capitalizing on the power play.

Their special teams, a strength for much of the postseason, have faltered against Florida’s aggressive PK units. Edmonton went 0-for-3 on the man advantage in Game 3, including a critical missed opportunity in the third period. If the Oilers are to stay alive, they need their power play to produce and their penalty kill to contain Florida’s own lethal top unit.

Fan energy at Rogers Place has been electric despite the circumstances. Edmonton is a city that breathes hockey, and the Oilers’ faithful will undoubtedly bring the noise again. That support could provide the emotional lift the team needs to dig deep and stave off elimination. A Game 4 win wouldn’t erase the deficit—but it could change the tone of the series and plant seeds of doubt in Florida’s locker room.

Make no mistake, though: the Panthers are not a team that cracks easily. They have the look of a champion, poised and driven by the opportunity to make history. After years of being viewed as underachievers or playoff disappointments, Florida now stands on the doorstep of greatness. Their style of play may not be flashy, but it’s ruthlessly effective. If they can stay out of the penalty box and keep Edmonton’s stars off the scoreboard, the Cup will soon be heading to Sunrise.

As the teams prepare for what could be the final game of the season, storylines abound. Will Connor McDavid rise to the occasion and extend the Oilers’ season, or will Sergei Bobrovsky slam the door shut once more and cement his legacy with a Conn Smythe-worthy performance? Can the Oilers’ depth finally make an impact, or will the Panthers’ four-line attack prove too much?

Game 4 promises to be intense, physical, and emotional. For Edmonton, it’s do-or-die. For Florida, it’s destiny within reach. The hockey world will be watching as one team fights for its life and the other chases immortality.

The countdown is on. Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final drops the puck tomorrow at 8 PM ET. The Oilers look to survive. The Panthers look to celebrate. All eyes on Edmonton.