Surviving three rounds in the grueling NHL post-season tournament requires tenacity and resourcefulness.

Making the Finals as an eighth-seed while losing the starting goalie to injury is a task few teams in history has accomplished, but the Oilers are now one game away from winning the Stanley Cup after defeating the Hurricanes 4-0 in Game 6 last night at the Rexall Place.

Much like their journey throughout the playoffs, Edmonton has overcome steep odds to force the deciding seventh game slated for Monday at 8:00 in Carolina. If they are able to complete the comeback, they will be the first team in 64 years to win a championship after trailing three games to one in the finals.

Former Ranger and third-string goalie Jussi Markkanen, who has started since Dwayne Roloson suffered a season-ending knee injury in the first game, made 16 saves for his first career post-season shutout.

The Finnish netminder, who did not even dress for Game 1, was aided by a strong defensive effort in front and efficient work on the power-play that contributed to the unrelenting offensive pressure. Through the first 30 minutes, the Oilers enjoyed an 18-3 advantage in shots on goal, finishing with a 34-16 edge. Edmonton was also 3-9 with the extra man.

“When guys are clicking like that, when the game plan is working like that, it is fun to be out there on the ice," said defenseman Matt Greene to the Edmonton Journal. "This is an ideal situation. We've forced a Game 7."

One game after scoring a short-handed goal in overtime to prolong the series, Fernando Pisani stimulated the crowd of 16,839 into a frenzy by directing an Ales Hemsky’s point shot with the tip of his blade into the top of the net to open the scoring early in the second.

With the power-play tally, Pisani now has 13 goals in the tournament. His clutch play would normally be enough to endear him to the hockey-savvy Oilers faithful, but Pisani has another advantage going for him: he is from Edmonton’s Little Italy section.

“It seems like I'm in the right spot and the right time in those situations and the puck just happens to go in," Pisani said to reporters in Edmonton.

Eight minutes later, former Islanders top prospect Raffi Torres provided a two-goal cushion by deflecting defenseman Steve Staios’ long slap shot from the sideboards past Cam Ward.

Ryan Smyth and Shawn Horcoff added insurance power-play goals in the third to seal the victory.

Smyth’s goal, a backhand shot lifted over the blocker of Ward, encouraged the fans to start chants of “We want the Cup! We want the Cup!”

"I know I can't wait to get out there to play but at a lot of times, I'll be sitting at home or sitting in here and I'll just have a smile on my face because I've been enjoying the moment," said Shawn Horcoff to reporters. "This is every kid's dream, playing in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup. You couldn't script it better. We came back to win two games — and that makes this an unbelievable story."

Carolina had multiple chances to get back into the game with the man advantage, though they failed to cover

The Hurricanes scored three goals in Game 6 with the on the special teams unit, but this time went 0-6, including two misses in the second when it was still close.

Hurting the Canes chances was the absence of Doug Weight, who suffered a badly sprained right shoulder Wednesday.

Though the offense got much of the publicity for the Oilers, Chris Pronger had another tremendous defensive effort. The former Blues star entered the contest averaging 31:11 of ice time in 22 postseason games. He was on the ice for 30:31 last night, taking a team-high 34 shifts.

"I am exhausted. I can't even answer your question. I am too tired," said Pronger to the AP before the game.

Carolina will have a third chance to close out the series and avoid becoming the first team since the Detroit Red Wings in 1942 to waste a 3-1 series lead when they return to Raleigh. The Toronto Maple Leafs completed the comeback that season to capture the Cup.

"What are the options really?" said Carolina coach and former Islanders head man Peter Laviolette said. "There's one game left for the Stanley Cup, and it's in our building. There's no place we would rather be."