Backs against the wall. Season on the line. Legacy in question. Everything seems to be against the odds when it comes to the Edmonton Oilers, especially with Game 6 bringing in a lot of implications as the team heads into enemy territory in Florida. They have been in this situation before, but it somewhat feels different as they are heading to a bigger challenge.

After that deflating loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 5 at home raised a lot of questions in the series, especially after the defending champions did not have any problem scoring the puck and how Edmonton’s offense was completely shut down. Losing in front of their home crowd was not a good look, and the Oilers dropping another one at home just meant that even a Game 7 at home doesn’t put them at an advantage at all.

Now playing in a rink where they have dropped a massive number of goals, it seems that Edmonton’s chances are dwindling by the minute, which is worrying at this point. It cannot be denied that the Panthers are expected to be crowned back-to-back champions by the end of Game 6, and the Oilers need everything to work in their favor if they are going to defy the odds this time.

The Goalie Dilemma

Heading into Game 6, the Oilers remain undecided when it comes to their starting goalie. With their season on the line, both Calvin Pickard and Stuart Skinner are pegged to start off the crucial Game 6 showdown. While it does boast the team’s flexibility and incredible depth, it has been the big reason why they dropped Game 5.

Edmonton trails the series 3-2, and Pickard was the starter in the Game 5 loss. Skinner was the starter in the Game 3 loss, and both players have shown impressive performances in their own right, despite not being able to win key games for their team.

“We've got two goalies that have shown that they can play extremely well and win hockey games, and we feel that no matter who we choose they can win the game," Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said.

Pickard stands with a 7-1 record in this postseason, with his only start coming in that Game 5 loss. Skinner, on the other hand, has stood strong with a 7-6 record in 14 starts. What the big difference is, however, is that Skinner has experience in the clutch, going 9-1 whenever he starts in Games 5-7 over the last two postseasons.

Whoever the Oilers choose to start, it has to matter for their chances of winning.

Bigger Stakes for the Oilers

At this point, the pressure is on the Oilers to win and survive until Game 7. After all, they are now 2,500 miles back to South Florida with the Panthers looming to go back-to-back Cup winners since state rivals Tampa Bay Lightning did the same feat in 2020 and 2021. For the Oilers to win this one, everything has to click well.

For starters, Edmonton needs to counter the two-man punch of Brad Marchand and Sam Bennett, who have been able to score more than five goals each – the first for such duo in a Stanley Cup Final in over 50 years.

Still, the dream of being the first Canadian team to win a championship since the Montreal Canadiens since 1993 remains alive for the Oilers. That is, until they can find a way to win Game 6 and send it back home.