The Florida Panthers faced off against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, and the outcome of the series may hinge on the Panthers’ ability to kill off the Oilers’ power plays. Despite the Panthers’ strong penalty-killing unit, which ranked second in the postseason, it was clear that they would need more than just a secret recipe to stymie the Oilers’ dangerous power play.
Panthers head coach Paul Maurice acknowledged that their success on the penalty kill was largely due to their netminder, Sergei Bobrovsky. The Oilers possess one of the most dynamic power plays in the league, and being even slightly hesitant or giving them room to make plays could be disastrous. The Panthers understood this and adopted an aggressive approach to their penalty killing, putting pressure on the Oilers to make quick decisions. While this forced the Oilers to adjust, they still managed to generate scoring chances.
According to Natural Stat Trick, the Oilers had nine scoring chances, including five high-danger looks, during their three power plays in Game 1. While they failed to convert on any of these opportunities, there is no reason for them to be discouraged. Vancouver Canucks coach Rick Tocchet noted that the Oilers don’t get discouraged when they don’t score on the power play because they always get good looks on the next one.
In fact, several defensive minds in the NHL have emphasized that the best way to stop the Oilers’ power play is to stay out of the penalty box. Taking penalties against a team with such a lethal power play is a recipe for disaster. The Panthers didn’t heed this advice in Game 1, but they managed to escape unscathed due to Bobrovsky’s stellar performance.
The question now is which team will make more adjustments before Game 2: the Oilers’ power play or the Panthers’ penalty kill? While the Panthers’ pressure on the penalty kill was effective, Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch believes that as long as they anticipate it and execute their plays, they can still create scoring chances. He pointed out that the Oilers had a slow start on the power play in the Western Conference final but eventually found their rhythm.
Zach Hyman, who has been a key contributor to the Oilers’ power play, emphasized that chances will eventually go in if they continue to execute their game plan and not get frustrated. He expressed confidence in their ability to score goals. The Oilers’ power play generates momentum even when it doesn’t score, which can carry over into their five-on-five play.
It’s unlikely that the Oilers will go without scoring on the power play throughout the Cup Final. This realization has motivated the Panthers to raise their game moving forward. Despite the loss in Game 1, the Oilers showed many positive aspects and need to maintain their energy and continue to outwork the goalie.
Ultimately, the battle between the Oilers’ power play and the Panthers’ penalty kill will be crucial in determining the outcome of the series. Both teams have areas to improve, and it will be interesting to see how they adjust in Game 2. The Panthers will need to find a way to neutralize the Oilers’ power play, while the Oilers must capitalize on their scoring chances. The series is far from over, and both teams have shown they are capable of making significant contributions.