Stuart Skinner believes his Edmonton Oilers can dig themselves out of a three-game hole and win the Stanley Cup Final despite how rarely that's happened.

"It is disappointing being down 3-0, we've got to let that reality sink in," the goaltender told reporters after a 4-3 loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 3. "I'm not too sure what the stats are coming back (from this deficit), but if anyone can do it, it's the Oil."

Skinner added that the Oilers' late surge in Game 3 - in which they scored two third-period goals to trim the Panthers' lead to one - gives Edmonton confidence.

"I think the way that we finished this game, too, also brings a strong belief in this group, the way that we battled back," the netminder said. "If we play like that for 60 minutes, we'll give ourselves a really good chance to win games. I think that gives you a lot of belief, and we've got nothing but hope in this room."

The Toronto Maple Leafs are the only team to pull off a reverse sweep in the Cup Final, doing so against the Detroit Red Wings in 1942. That was also one of only four times it's been accomplished in any round in NHL history.

The Los Angeles Kings did it en route to winning the title in 2014, but that was a first-round comeback over the San Jose Sharks. Four years earlier, the Philadelphia Flyers overcame a 3-0 series deficit to oust the Boston Bruins in the second round. The New York Islanders did it to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1975, but they pulled it off in the quarterfinals.

The Panthers will have a chance to ensure it doesn't happen to them in Game 4 on Saturday in Edmonton.

"We're trying to figure them out," Oilers superstar Connor McDavid said postgame Thursday. "Obviously, we haven't beaten them in three games. We've had stretches of good, we've had stretches of bad, (but) we're trying to figure them out."

McDavid also channeled Yogi Berra when he added that "it's not over 'til it's over."

Game 4 is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on Saturday.

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The Florida Panthers moved one win away from capturing the Stanley Cup with a 4-3 victory in Thursday's Game 3 against the Edmonton Oilers.

The Panthers surged in the second period with goals from Vladimir Tarasenko, Sam Bennett, and Aleksander Barkov in a 6:19 span.

Philip Broberg and Ryan McLeod scored in the third period as Edmonton's comeback bid fell short.

Sergei Bobrovsky made 32 saves and allowed more than two goals for the first time since Game 3 of the conference finals versus the New York Rangers. Stuart Skinner stopped 19 shots.

Bobrovsky's most important stop came late in the contest when he denied McLeod of the tying goal from point-blank range.

"They're a very skillful offensive team," Bobrovsky told theScore's Jolene Latimer postgame. "They're smart guys, and they're going make plays. It's just (about focusing) on each and every moment. It's a fun challenge to play against them because they bring (their) best and they make smart plays."

Panthers captain Barkov understands the series is far from over.

"We know (Game 4) is gonna be the hardest game, for sure," Barkov said. "Obviously, we don't take anything for granted. Every single day is one day at a time, one thing at a time. Whether it's one period, one shift, we take it one at a time. That's how we've been the whole year."

Florida hasn't won the Stanley Cup in its 30-season history.

Oilers star Leon Draisaitl remains without a point in the final. He had 10 goals and 28 points in 18 playoff contests entering the series.

"It's very frustrating, of course," Draisaitl said. "I pride myself on being good in the playoffs and playing well. Just can't seem to get anything going. Obviously, have to look in the mirror and try to be better."

The last sweep in a Stanley Cup Final was in 1998 when the Detroit Red Wings dispatched the Washington Capitals.

Game 4 is Saturday in Edmonton at 8 p.m. ET.

Copyright © 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.