RALEIGH, N.C. — The Edmonton Oilers clearly need a refresher course in Hockey History 101.

Only one team has overcome a 3-1 deficit in the Stanley Cup finals. Only two have won Game 7 on the road with the silver trophy at stake. Only three have come back to win the championship after starting with two losses.

The Oilers don't seem the least bit concerned about overcoming all those daunting challenges.

"We have not followed too many rules in this postseason," center Shawn Horcoff said Sunday, on the eve of the biggest game of his life. "I know we've been the underdog in most people's minds. But we really believe we can get this thing done."

Indeed, Edmonton is one win away from pulling off one of the most remarkable surprises in playoff history.

The Oilers are tied with the Carolina Hurricanes at three games apiece. Game 7 is Monday night in Raleigh.

Already, Edmonton upset three higher-ranked teams in the Western Conference to become the first No. 8 seed to reach the Stanley Cup finals under the current playoff format. Now, after blowing a three-goal lead in Game 1, losing their top goalie for the rest of the series with a knee injury and getting wiped out 5-0 in Game 2, the Oilers are on the cusp of their first championship since 1990.

Just a few days ago, they seemed out of it.

Carolina, which had 11 more wins and 17 more points during the regular season, won Game 4 on the road and returned to Tobacco Road with a chance to carry away its first Stanley Cup.

Heck, they already were planning a championship celebration in Carolina. On top of that, a sports collectible magazine released 60,000 copies with a cover story that proclaimed "'Canes Capture The Cup."

No so fast.

Edmonton's Fernando Pisani scored a short-handed goal in overtime to win Game 5. The Oilers romped to a dominating 4-0 victory in Game 6. Now, it's winner take all — and the resurgent Oilers seem much fresher, much quicker, much more determined.

"I think we're all embarrassed by the way we played," Hurricanes defenseman Glen Wesley said after returning from Edmonton.