Stanley Cup: Florida Panthers [ATL1] vs Edmonton Oilers [PAC2] - Florida wins 4-3

[Torture]

Don't worry Oilers faithful, they've shown they can beat this team....by losing to them every single time they've played them this year.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

It’s what they do. And they don’t get it, and never will.

There is no x and o team strategy. They have two tiers of players. The second tier players are only there to kill time while the top tier players rest, until they are desperate. Then the second tier players’ job is, as the ref with the hot mic said “(Edmonton…) sit down”

They pulled the goalie in game 2 with just under 7 minutes left and played the same group of 6 guys for the next 4 minute mega shift until they gave up the empty netter

Games 1 and 3, only one line saw the ice the last 2 minutes. In fact, the last 5 minutes, I think the usual suspects played all 5 min less one (shorter) shift.

A dozen guys who were good enough to make it to the NHL being told that it’s now an important part of the game, to sit down and wait while the big boys are on, until a McGoal is scored.

Maurice will obviously prefer the Barkov matchup, when he can get it, but can trust other players against them. The Oilers players on the ice get tired and frustrated, and the ones on the bench know that when push comes to shove, they aren’t of any use

Foegele, Broberg, McLeod - thanks for making it 4-3. The big boys will take it from here.

The panel talks about Knob’s decisions that always come up roses. Nope. He’s the same as every other coach that they’ve burned through. Ice one loaded up line. Just less smug than the howdy doody guy.

There is no way that locker room could be any good. The only x and o’s to be found are in the toxic tiering

It for sure is hard to talk about a team concept and buy in from everyone when that keeps happening game after game.

It amazes me how the media doesn't see this as an issue. Year after year the Oilers run into the same wall despite having all this talent and the 2 best players in the world.

Same thing with Bouchard.

The 'Bouch Bomb.'

And yet when you watch him play defensively its quite obvious that his game is elevated because of PP success. Which is fine. But don't make him into something he isn't.

Crazy part is that the Oilers are literally lining up to do the same thing with Bouchard that they did with Nurse. Huge year = big pay day, and likely long-term going to drag the team down. And its all their own fault because of how they manage the team.

[dieHARDflameZ]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

The Soil had 6 shots in the 3rd and 2 lucky bounces that went in. One incredible bounce of an elbow right into the net.

They acted like they finally got the breaks or something. You hardly did anything.

If the Panthers can get 1 more win this will put a dagger in the Soils chances.

Let's not get ahead oursleves just yet. Nothing has been accomplished as of yet.

Lol and yet in his post game presser, their coach is saying they aren’t getting any puck luck…. Your guy literally shot a puck two feet high and wide and it went in off of a guys elbow.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by ah123

Message on HF and Reddit oiler board is consistent: It’s all Skinner’s fault. He is not stealing them any games…

He isn't. And there is no reason they should have expected him to.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Mazrim

I heard this from a coworker this morning and I feel like I'm going crazy here...weren't Oilers fans just saying a round or two ago that they can overcome goaltending with elite scoring and solid defense?

I can't stand Oilers fans' excuses. They can't ever give the other team credit. They had an easy route to the finals compared to Florida and somehow they're the better team? In what world does LA, Vancouver, Dallas hold up in the same sentence as Tampa, Boston, Rangers? It's not always bad puck luck, it's not always reffing, it's not always "letting them in". You're allowed to say they're simply better. Ugh.

That’s the thing. Florida IS better. Full stop


Florida’s details are sublime. They are pressuring, then reading and outnumbering in battles at the right time

They are structured, somewhat aggressive in their defensive posture, but their handoffs are exquisite.

The McPP works in the regular season because it’s a new opponent every night, and he can circle around and exploit breakdowns. That’s why playoffs are great. The same team sees you repeatedly and can strategize how to counter it.

So they give him the outside, but hand off well and don’t chase him to break their structure. Meanwhile, they are very aware of seams, plus committed to blocking shots.

[Manhattanboy]

Originally Posted by Itse

Barkov and his line aren't just shutting down McDavid.

Panthers first line is a combined +10 with 5 goals in the series. That's exactly half the Panthers goals. Barkov and Rodrizuez are tied for the points lead in the series.

Oilers first line is a combined -5 with 0 goals.

But EDM has outplayed FLA 2 of 3 games according to very smart hockey people.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by ah123

Message on HF and Reddit oiler board is consistent: It’s all Skinner’s fault. He is not stealing them any games…

That's not what their team is though. McDavid is the one that's supposed to be stealing games for them, not their AHL goalie Skinner.

[FanIn80]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1801267815850160628

[Inferno]

Originally Posted by Manhattanboy

But EDM has outplayed FLA 2 of 3 games according to very smart hockey people.

And they still have "plenty of hope".

[indes]

I'm not sure I've seen a team play Florida's 1-2-1-1 before. Am I out to lunch on this? Instead of a 1-3-1 neutral zone trap they seem to be running 1 guy deep and 2 guys just inside the Oilers blue line with the dmen staggered back between the blue and the red. It's absolutely neutralized Edmonton's "chip it out and pray McDavid gets it" strategy. Maurice is putting on a clinic on shutting down any breakout the Oilers can muster with the players buying in 100% to cheat defensively, as opposed to the Oilers cheating offensively.

I've really enjoyed the Panthers systematically dominating the Oilers simple play. They won't even let McDavid wind up and skate it from inside his own blue line, just an absolute clinic.

[FlamesAreOne]

Would people have preferred Edmonton lose to the Canucks in 7 or make the SCF but get swept?

[direwolf]

Originally Posted by Looch City

This loss make it even more embarrassing for them.

Start off the season absolute ####. Fire your coach and go on miracle run, making the playoffs and the finals!

Then absolutely #### the entire bed and not even try in the most meaningful games.

Just pure unadulterated embarrassment. Fitting for this absolutely #### organization.

I think they're trying. It's just that the team at the other end of the ice is far better than they are. Sure, the Oilers can beat sub-par teams like the Kings and an injured Canucks team missing their starting goaltender.

But Florida is just so much deeper in every area of the game, and unlike the teams that the Oilers faced on their way to the finals, the Panthers actually show up to play every night. They were also here last year and know what it's gonna take to win it this time. They're hungry and they want it more.

[Inferno]

Originally Posted by FlamesAreOne

Would people have preferred Edmonton lose to the Canucks in 7 or make the SCF but get swept?

Lose to the Canucks. The sooner they're out the better.

[FanIn80]

"My favourite line from rookies is 'I just gotta play my game.' ...You don't have a game, you don't have one... but that guy over there's got a game. Why don't you just play like him?"

https://twitter.com/user/status/1801472293165482048

[Howie_16]

Originally Posted by FlamesAreOne

Would people have preferred Edmonton lose to the Canucks in 7 or make the SCF but get swept?

I would have preferred the Oilers to lose to the Canucks in 7, but I would have also preferred the Flames to be up 3-0 in the Stanley Cup Final right now instead of the Panthers.

[Beninho]

The Jets fired a great coach, bad mistake

[Inferno]

Originally Posted by Beninho

The Jets fired a great coach, bad mistake

He left on his own. But speculation was he knew he was probably getting fired.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by FlamesAreOne

Would people have preferred Edmonton lose to the Canucks in 7 or make the SCF but get swept?

This isn't about us. Whatever is more crushing to the hearts of that fanbase is the correct answer.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Beninho

The Jets fired a great coach, bad mistake

He stepped down, and my bet is he knew he wasn't ever going to get his message through to that core of players and so they both needed a fresh start, him with a new team and the players with a new coach.

[iggy_oi]

Originally Posted by FlamesAreOne

Would people have preferred Edmonton lose to the Canucks in 7 or make the SCF but get swept?

We would have gotten a 3rd round pick instead of a 4th if the canucks had won and then Dallas would have probably steamrolled the canucks which would have gotten us another pick so it’s a pretty easy choice.