Edmonton Oilers Game 7 history: Looking back at the Alberta-team's record in do-or-die playoff games

The Edmonton Oilers will take on the Vancouver Canucks in Game 7 of their second-round Stanley Cup Playoffs series. With the series now tied 3-3, the winner of the decisive game will advance into the Western Conference finals where they will play the Dallas Star for a place in the Stanley Cup Final.

Over the years, the Oilers have been in a do-or-die Game 7 situation a dozen times. They are 7-4 all-time in Game 7 and have managed to secure the win in different stages of the playoffs against some really formidable opponents.

The Edmonton Oilers played their first-ever Game 7 on April 22, 1984, against the Calgary Flames in the Division Final. After the Flames tied the series with two consecutive wins, the Oilers triumphed 7-4 on the night. Wayne Gretzky, Jari Kurri, and Glenn Anderson came up with key contributions as Edmonton advanced.

The Oilers played their most recent Game 7 on May 14, 2022, against the Los Angeles Kings in the Western Conference first round. Edmonton, having trailed 3-2 in the series, forced Game 7 with a heroic Game 6 win. Mike Smith made 29 saves in the 2-0 Game 7 victory, with Connor McDavid assisting Cody Ceci's goal and later scoring himself.

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Edmonton Oilers’ bittersweet Stanley Cup Final Game 7 record

There's no bigger stage than Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, with the championship on the line. The Edmonton Oilers have a bittersweet Game 7 record in the Stanley Cup Final, going 1-1 in their history.

On May 31, 1987, the Edmonton Oilers won their first Stanley Cup Game 7, defeating the Philadelphia Flyers to secure the championship. Despite Flyers goalie Ron Hextall's 40 saves on the night, the Oilers triumphed 3-1.

Jari Kurri's goal at 14:59 in the second period and Glenn Anderson's late third-period goal sealed the victory after Mark Messier tied it early on. In doing so, they won their third Stanley Cup title in franchise history.

The Oilers played their last Stanley Cup Game 7 on June 19, 2006, facing off against the Carolina Hurricanes. It could have been the Oilers' chance to secure their sixth Stanley Cup victory, but it turned into one of the most painful losses in team history.

The game started ominously for the Oilers as Aaron Ward of the Hurricanes scored just 1:26 into the first period, putting Carolina up 1-0. The Hurricanes extended their lead to 2-0 early in the second period when Frantisek Kaberle found the back of the net at 4:18.

Trailing by two goals, the Oilers fought back in the third period, as Fernando Pisani scored at 1:03 of the period, cutting Carolina's lead to 2-1. However, despite their efforts, the Oilers couldn't solve Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward again.

As the clock wound down, with the Oilers pressing desperately for the tying goal, Justin Williams sealed Carolina's victory with an empty-net goal at 18:59 of the third period. In the end, the Oilers were left to rue what might have been in their last Stanley Cup Final Game 7 to date.