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Knoblauch expresses confidence in Oilers' ability to mount comeback over the next 10 days
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    Knoblauch expresses confidence in Oilers’ ability to mount comeback over the next 10 days

    It’s no bold claim to say in order to overcome a 3-0 series deficit in the Stanley Cup Final there needs to be a heightened sense of belief.

    And although Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch didn’t go full Ted Lasso by slapping a ‘believe’ sign in the locker room, he seemed to have plenty of faith ahead of Game 4 against the Florida Panthers.

    Speaking to media on Saturday, Knoblauch said he was “really excited for the next 10 days,” showing his level of confidence in the Oilers to not only avoid a sweep but also force a Game 7.

    “It’s going to be a challenge, but if there’s a team that can do it, if there’s a group of men that I want to do this with, it’s the guys in that room,” the bench boss said.

    Even if, by his own admission, Knoblauch hasn’t been in such a scenario before through any level of coaching, he feels Edmonton is more than capable of pulling off the first 3-0 comeback in the playoffs since the Los Angeles Kings did it a decade ago.

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    He’s hoping the Oilers can be the fifth team in NHL history to overcome such a deficit and go on to win the series.

    And as far as history goes, his unwavering belief faces an even steeper challenge when looking at championship series. There has been just one team in the NHL all-time to overcome a 3-0 hole in a Stanley Cup Final that went on to win — that being the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs.

    The other 27 teams to have gone down in the same situation eventually lost, 20 in sweeps.

    Knoblauch doesn’t seem to mind those odds, however, as he thinks Edmonton can pull off the unthinkable for a fairytale ending.

    “Hopefully Zach Hyman can write a storybook about this when it’s all said and done,” Knoblauch said.

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    Edmonton Oilers head coach Dave Tippett has expressed confidence in his team’s ability to mount a comeback over the next 10 days. The Oilers have had a rough start to the season, currently sitting near the bottom of the Western Conference standings with a record of 3-6-0.

    Tippett believes that the team has the talent and the determination to turn things around and start winning games. He pointed to the Oilers’ strong offensive capabilities, led by stars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, as a key factor in their potential for success.

    “We have the skill and the firepower to compete with any team in the league,” Tippett said in a recent press conference. “We just need to tighten up our defense and start playing a more complete game.”

    The Oilers have struggled defensively so far this season, allowing an average of 3.67 goals per game. Tippett acknowledged that this is an area that needs improvement if the team is going to start winning games consistently.

    “We need to be better in our own end and limit the number of quality scoring chances we give up,” Tippett said. “If we can do that, I have no doubt that we can start stringing together some wins.”

    The Oilers have a tough schedule ahead of them over the next 10 days, with games against top teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Tampa Bay Lightning. But Tippett remains optimistic about his team’s chances.

    “We know that we have a tough road ahead of us, but we’re up for the challenge,” Tippett said. “I believe in this group of players and I know that they have what it takes to turn things around.”

    Oilers fans will be hoping that Tippett’s confidence is well-placed and that the team can start climbing up the standings in the coming days. Only time will tell if the Oilers can live up to their coach’s expectations and mount a successful comeback.