A tale of two superstars heading into Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final

The GIST: TBH, not much has changed since our last newsletter. The Florida Panthers (up 3-2) are still one win away from hoisting the Stanley Cup for the first time, but the Edmonton Oilers have momentum on their side after staving off elimination with two massive consecutive wins.

• Before tonight’s 8 p.m. ET Game 6 puck drop in Alberta, let’s take a look at both squads’ difference makers: Florida left winger Matthew Tkachuk (pronounced kuh-CHUCK) and Edmonton captain Connor McDavid.

Tkachuk’s trademark tenacity inspires his squad: ICYMI, Tkachuk’s ridiculous Game 5 goal-saving dive was epic, even if it didn’t change the outcome. Why? Because it was so Tkachuk — he’s tougher-than-nails and (sometimes literally) lays it all on the ice, like when he played through a broken sternum during last season’s Stanley Cup Final.

• Unsurprisingly, Tkachuk leads Florida in points this postseason (six goals, 16 assists), and while the Panthers rallied too late to pull off the win in Game 5, Tkachuk’s last-ditch play may be the key to their success if locker room comments are any indication.

McDavid is etching his name among the greats: If the Oilers do become just the second team to win a Stanley Cup after going down 3-0, it’ll be because of McDavid.

• The generational center already set the record for most assists in an NHL postseason and is only two points away from tying GOAT Wayne Gretzky’s Stanley Cup Final points total, a record that’s stood since 1988.

• But beyond his own achievements, it’s McDavid’s belief in his own resilient teammates that could help the Oils force a Game 7. Built different.