Draisaitl lauds Oilers fans: 'Finish the job for them'

Leon Draisaitl praised Edmonton Oilers fans after the team's Game 6 Stanley Cup Final victory over the Florida Panthers on Friday.

"It means the world to us," Drasaitl said of getting fans a win in Edmonton's last home game of the season. "I've been here for a long time and been through some pretty bad years. Seemingly, the people that were there tonight, they showed up every night and still showed up at games and supported us. So, to give them that is really special. Hopefully, we can finish the job for them."

The Oilers' latest win forces a Game 7 after they trailed 3-0 in the series. While Draisaitl recognized that it's been an incredible run, he added that he knows the next victory will be the most difficult.

"It's been a helluva story so far, but at the end of the day, we play to win," Draisaitl said. "This is gonna be the hardest game for us. They're gonna come out hard, they're gonna play at home. We have to bring our game again.

"I'm just really proud of the way we gave ourselves a chance. That's what it's all about. By no means is this gonna be easy, a walk in the park now."

Draisaitl assisted on the opening goal in Game 6. After being critical of his play in recent contests, the star forward said postgame Friday that he was relieved to make an offensive impact.

"I'm an offensive guy," Draisaitl said. "Confidence comes from putting up numbers sometimes, that's just the way it is. Do I have other things I'm good at? Yeah, of course. But sometimes it's nice to make a play and get rewarded for it. You can ask any offensive player, that's just the way you feel."

Game 7 is Monday at 8 p.m. ET. The Oilers are looking for the team's first Stanley Cup since 1990 and sixth in franchise history.

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