SCF: Florida Panthers (A3) vs Edmonton Oilers (P3) - PANTHERS WIIIIN 4-2!!!

[Paulie Walnuts]

Not having a starting goalie for the biggest game is crazy. Not because of injury but because they both suck.

[IamNotKenKing]

Originally Posted by Yobbo

I had the same conversation with my sister in-law earlier today. I educated her and she understands my way of thinking now. Lol

I had the same convo with my neighbour last weekend.
Now every time I see her she says Go Panthers!

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by Hockey

Start of the series was Edmonton going to win because of how Gretzky and Crosby won their first cups. Now they going with Crosby was down 3-2 in his series when he first won the cup. Let's just ignore the fact that the Panthers have been the much better team all series aside from a few fluky bounces for the Oilers.

4th game always the hardest to win. Panthers just need to play their game and they'll be fine. Keep it 5 on 5 as much as possible.

These guys went to 3-0 last year and almost fumbled the bag.

They lost being up 3-0 in game 4. That alone would crater a team.

Speak it into the universe our dreams will come true Tuesday.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

Not having a starting goalie for the biggest game is crazy. Not because of injury but because they both suck.

To be fair, those are some damn good shots the Panthers put up to score.

Honestly, the goaltending isn’t even that bad for Edmonton, it’s their putrid defensive coverage. Usually Ekholm’s a rock but it was by far his worst game of the playoffs last night. Their forwards are also terrible at defense.

[Groot]

Originally Posted by 3rd liner

My cousin's husband- (Edmonton fan) to me tonight: "So, nothing about Edmonton in the finals excites you, nothing? Not even having a Canadian team in the SCF?"

"Nope, not at all. This isn't the olympics, it's not an international competition. Born and raised Calgary fan, provincial rival since the 80's. So.... no". Guy still seemed puzzled.

While I wholeheartedly agree with 99% of this, there are absolutely things that excite me about Edmonton being in the SCF again.

1. Losing makes it even more soul-crushing to the team and fans after getting overhyped from terrible round 2 and 3 opponents and a B2B SCF loss.

2. I get to laugh at and lap up the salty tears of Oilers fans and media all Summer.

3. McDavid likely further from signing an extension on July 1, causing chaos for the Oilers next season before his inevitable departure.

I would never cheer for the Oilers but I'm not cheering for the Panthers, either. I'm actively cheering against the Oilers. There's a difference.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

To be fair, those are some damn good shots the Panthers put up to score.

Honestly, the goaltending isn’t even that bad for Edmonton, it’s their putrid defensive coverage. Usually Ekholm’s a rock but it was by far his worst game of the playoffs last night. Their forwards are also terrible at defense.

It’s not helping tho. We just need this to happen Tuesday.

Picks and skins lmao

[Titan2]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

Father figures everywhere are profound, not just in Edmonton, Ronald. What a dunce.

Walk yourself out behind the woodshed.

[thefoss1957]

Have only followed the SCF via highlights, and I have a question. Marchand is getting all the hype, Bennett has been a force, but, Bob has been nothing short of amazing...Who do you guys/gals think has earned the Smythe, so far?

[Beatle17]

Originally Posted by 3rd liner

Pickard's weakness seems to be the five-hole, and the fact that he's a back-up goalie.... But the oil seem to have given up on Skinner- starting Pickard tonight seems to be the writing on the wall. Not sure how they'd go back to skinner after losing again tonight. And Pickard wasn't horrible. But not outstanding either.

I'm sure they are waiting for Carter Hart to be available for next year, maybe some of the other WJ trial guys as well as the Oilers don't care about morals. What's a sexual assault among bros, after all? Right Evander and Perry? But that's next year.

To be fair Stu seems like a good guy, despite how grease fans have treated him, he's sure no Mike Smith.

I think they go back with Pickard and hope and pray the refs fall for the patented Oilers diving.

Stu reminds me of another big Oiler goalie, Devyn Dubnyk. After he left and got some actual coaching he turned out not too bad.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by thefoss1957

Have only followed the SCF via highlights, and I have a question. Marchand is getting all the hype, Bennett has been a force, but, Bob has been nothing short of amazing...Who do you guys/gals think has earned the Smythe, so far?

Bennett. He's been the engine for that Panthers team. Zach Hyman had 15 goals go in off him from McDrai, this year Bennett's scored 15 goals so far by driving the play and being an absolute menace to the opposition.

Honestly, he's had an Iginla level playoffs. Just pure manhood owning the ice in every single way.

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by Yobbo

I had the same conversation with my sister in-law earlier today. I educated her and she understands my way of thinking now. Lol

Did this with my Toronto-raised transplant buddy as well. Before, he couldn't understand why I wouldn't pull for an Albertan team over a random Florida-based team. I let him know at length about how obnoxious, cocky and smug Grease fans permanently are (even in the pre-McWindow, Hall/Yak era lol). And how we'll never hear the end of it if they win.

Now, he says he's openly pulling for Florida at work here in town, and teases co-workers about pulling for the Grease. I'm proud of him..

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by thefoss1957

Have only followed the SCF via highlights, and I have a question. Marchand is getting all the hype, Bennett has been a force, but, Bob has been nothing short of amazing...Who do you guys/gals think has earned the Smythe, so far?

Bennett > Marchand > Bobrovsky.

If Marchand has another game like he did last night he could surpass Bennett. As of right now, if things ended today and all things equal, Bennett would be my vote.

[Enoch Root]

Bennett gets my vote - he's been a driving force all 4 rounds

[midniteowl]

Bennett gets my vote, but what's the chance it goes to McDiver?

[devo22]

either Bennett or Marchand, both have been difference makers. Personally hoping for Bennett, still rooting hard for him and I hope gets PAID this summer.

[Jiggy_12]

Bennett is my vote.. But would be pretty funny for McDavid to win it 2 years in a row with the Oilers losing both times.

[SemicolonD]

One thing I’ve noticed about the Panthers is how clean and clinical their defensive zone clearances are. I know every team does the little chips off the wall to clear but something about the way Florida does it or the awareness to pass it across the d zone for better chip opportunities if it isn’t there on one side is beautiful to watch.

That surely frustrates the Oilers who barely spend time in Floridas zone unless McDavid or someone is flying in with possession, otherwise it’s small entries, small chipped out clearances and everyone having to get back onside and trying again.

This plus the way they forecheck and their speed…Panthers are a treat to watch and completely deserve the cup. They’re tiers above any other team I’ve watched this year ( to be fair I mostly just watched Oilers series and how awful teams played them).

[Paulie Walnuts]

Marchand for me. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves Eric.

[Flames0910]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

I like to think of the Panthers as Calgary South.

Treliving made sure that neither Alberta team would win the cup in the next decade lol.

[Bourque's Twin]

Originally Posted by midniteowl

Bennett gets my vote, but what's the chance it goes to McDiver?

I can’t see it. Last year he had 42 points and the highest Panther was 22.
This year he has 33 points and the highest Panther has 22. Draisaitl also has 33.
Last year Hyman led the league in goals. This year it’s Bennett who will be part of the winning team.