The Edmonton Oilers are facing elimination in the Stanley Cup Final, down 3-2 to the Florida Panthers. To force a Game 7 and keep their Stanley Cup dreams alive, the Oilers need to address several key areas. Here's what they must fix:

1. Start Strong and Dictate the Pace: A recurring theme in this series has been Edmonton's sluggish starts. The Panthers have consistently jumped out to early leads, forcing the Oilers to play catch-up. In the first five games, Florida has outscored Edmonton 11-4 in the first period. The Oilers need to come out with urgency and establish their game early. This means winning puck battles, forechecking effectively, and generating offensive zone time from the drop of the puck. As defenseman Mattias Ekholm pointed out, their slow starts seem to be a mindset issue they need to overcome immediately. A strong start will not only quiet the Florida crowd but also inject confidence into the Oilers' lineup.

2. Top Players Must Elevate Their Game: While the Oilers have received contributions from throughout their lineup, their star players need to be the driving force. Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Evan Bouchard have all had moments, but they need to consistently impact the game. Draisaitl, who has acknowledged he's not 100%, needs to find another gear. McDavid, despite his incredible playmaking ability, needs to find the back of the net more frequently. As Kurt Leavins of the Edmonton Journal notes, champions elevate their game at the most critical times, and now is the time for Edmonton's stars to shine brightest.

3. Special Teams Dominance: The Oilers' special teams have been a significant factor in their two wins. Their penalty kill has been outstanding, particularly in the last three games, and they've even chipped in with shorthanded goals. They need to maintain this dominance. However, their power play, which was lethal earlier in the playoffs, has gone cold at the worst possible time. They need to find ways to generate more scoring chances and convert on those opportunities. Winning the special teams battle can swing momentum and provide crucial goals.

4. Goaltending Stability: Stuart Skinner is expected to be back in net after a brief stint with Calvin Pickard. Skinner needs to provide the Oilers with solid, confident goaltending. While he hasn't been solely to blame for the losses, he needs to make timely saves and prevent soft goals. A strong performance from Skinner will be essential to calming the team and providing a foundation for success.

5. Full 60-Minute Effort: Several players have mentioned the need for a "full effort." This means playing with intensity and focus for the entire 60 minutes, something the Oilers have struggled with at times in this series. They can't afford any lapses in concentration or any passengers on the ice. Every player needs to contribute and execute their role effectively. As Jake Walman said, a full effort for spurts isn't enough; it needs to be a consistent, unwavering commitment from everyone on the team.

The Oilers have shown resilience throughout these playoffs, overcoming adversity and answering critics. They have the talent and the leadership to force a Game 7. However, they need to execute these adjustments with precision and determination. The margin for error is gone; it's time for the Oilers to play their best game of the season.