Kris Knoblauch shares Oilers called in former Stanley Cup champion to inspire comeback against Panthers from being down 0-3
The Edmonton Oilers are facing a monumental task, down 3-0 to the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final. After a devastating 4-3 loss in Game 3, Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch brought three-time Stanley Cup champion Duncan Keith to share his experience.
Keith, who won Cups with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010, 2013 and 2015, is no stranger to playoff adversity. Knoblauch hoped Keith's experience could provide a spark for his struggling Oilers.
"I haven’t been in that situation," Knoblauch admitted talking to the media. "We had Duncan Keith in the dressing room yesterday, talking to the players informally.”
In 2011, his Blackhawks fell into an 0-3 series hole against the Vancouver Canucks. But they bounced back and made history by rallying to win the next three games before losing to Vancouver in overtime of Game 7.
“He shared a story about Chicago in 2011 when they were down 3-0 to Vancouver and made a heroic comeback, only to lose Game 7 in overtime on an unfortunate bounce,” Kris Knoblauch said.
"You never know. When you have a good team, a lot of good players who believe, things can happen. But a lot of things have to work out. You have to get some bounces, have to make some plays, and you need everybody to contribute. I think we can do that."
The Oilers need to win Game 4 on home ice Saturday night.
Knoblauch expressed optimism over the Oilers' comeback in Game 4
Kris Knoblauch is hopeful his team can make a comeback despite being down 3-0 in the series.
"I'm really excited for the next 10 days," Kris Knoblauch told reporters Saturday.
Knoblauch believes there is renewed optimism among the team after practice.
"I think there's a lot of optimism after the game, today in practice, in the dressing room, talking to the guys. You know, I believe the last time we lost three in a row, things went pretty well for us, and we're hoping we can do that again," he noted.
While the odds are against them, the coach remains confident to keep their Stanley Cup dreams alive.