More than happy to be wrong about the Oilers one final time

As with anyone who writes regularly about the Edmonton Oilers -- or indeed any professional sports team -- part of the gig involves having takes on certain situations. In theory when you're in our position, it's about being as objective as possible when giving an opinion, backed up as much as possible by relevant evidence.

However, the key word in that previous sentence is 'opinion', as in no matter how objective you're trying to be, there will still be the likelihood of subjectivity seeping in. In fact, as per the Oxford Dictionary definition, opinion means a view or judgement formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge.

So what's the point in all of this? You'd think there was one right? Okay, I'm joking, I'm joking; this is leading somewhere I promise.

The point is that in all of the opinions I've had during this emotional roller-coaster of a ride in 2023-24, there are some which have just been plain wrong. And worse, sometimes being based less on facts and figures, and more on a gut feeling, for lack of a better description.

A look back on some previous takes

Among these beauties, claiming that the Oilers were being too hasty in firing Jay Woodcroft, that he was unlucky and deserved more time. Or declaring the Oilers' playoff chances all but dead, not even a quarter of the way through the season.

Fast forward to the playoffs, and how about claiming Kris Knoblauch was making a mistake going back to Stuart Skinner for game six of the second round series versus the Vancouver Canucks. Or suggesting the Oilers coach may as well start Calvin Pickard in game four of the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers, because they had nothing left to lose at that point. (Except a fourth and final time.)

Heck, I even wrote an obitury of sorts after the Oilers finally won in game four, declaring the 8-1 rout as no more than a case of what could have been?! We could go on and on, but you get the point.

So with this in mind, we come to Monday night and game seven of the Stanley Cup Final. The Oilers stand one win away from accomplishing the reverse sweep, something which has only been done once, by the Toronto Maple Leafs all the way back in 1942.

Regardless of your opinion on if momentum exists in hockey from game to game or not, there's no denying everything has been going the Oilers' way lately. Even to the point of Knoblauch making the call of the season in game six, requesting a challenge on a Panthers goal and it being overturned to their advantage.

So what about Game 7?

However, we are now effectively back to 0-0; no matter what has happened in previous games will not matter as such on Monday night. The two teams are now playing on a level playing field again. Except they're not.

What I mean by this, is that no matter how well Connor McDavid, Skinner and company have been playing during the last three games, they're back on the road for the decider. Yes, they won the previous time at Amerant Bank Arena, but it was far too close for comfort down the stretch.

Prior to this, the Panthers had won their three previous games at home this season versus the Oilers, including a 5-3 victory back in November. The home crowd is going to be right behind them on Monday night, providing an added advantage.

The point is, despite wanting the Oilers to win and end a Stanley Cup drought dating back to 1990, I genuinely have this sneaky feeling that the Panthers are going to come through on the night and emerge victorious. Now, it's just a case of hoping this particular sneaky feeling, opinion, take, or whatever you want to call it, is similarly wrong to some of my previous ones ...

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