Luckily there was the third period. The one during which the Edmonton Oilers showed signs of life. The one also from which they will draw inspiration to try to convince themselves that they can achieve the impossible.
For the third time in three games, the Albertans lacked solutions against the Florida Panthers and lost 4-3. So here are the felines ahead 3-0 in this series, which could see its outcome on Saturday.
After the Longueuil Cup and oversized shirts, the Stanley Cup Final sweep could become the most recent comeback of a ’90s fad. Indeed, no one has won in four straight games since the four quick triumphs from 1995 to 1998 for the New Jersey Devils, Colorado Avalanche and Detroit Red Wings (twice). The Panthers, in fact, had paid the price for an accelerated exit in 1996. That’s a good thing to say.
Since this hasn’t happened in 26 years, one might ask: why now? Quite simply, due to the imbalance of forces present.
During the first three rounds, especially against the Dallas Stars in the conference final, the Oilers had managed to cement their collective game in a way to mask their glaring lack of depth, while the big offensive stars took care of the stay.
The aforementioned stars have hit their Waterloo against the Panthers. Connor McDavid certainly had two assists in Thursday’s loss, but he no longer has the aura of invincibility that followed him before the final. Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman are still without a point. Evan Bouchard has just one.
Taking advantage of the last change at home, head coach Kris Knoblauch managed to remove McDavid from the intractable coverage of Aleksander Barkov. The Finn instead recovered against Draisaitl’s trio, which he cut to pieces.
With all these catalysts in neutral, the Oilers’ collective play therefore finds itself under high pressure. And when the whole breaks, its parts are exposed.
The defenders had a terrible evening. Mattias Ekholm and Evan Bouchard were caught twice rather than once by the Barkov trio, precisely. Darnell Nurse, who we understand is playing injured, and Cody Ceci, each looked crazy in sequences that led to goals in the second period.
Corey Perry, praised since the start of his career for his effectiveness in the playoffs, was atrocious. In the roughly 10 minutes he was on the ice at 5-on-5, the Panthers were outshot 10-2. He argued endlessly with the officials when he was assessed a penalty for obstructing the goalie late in the second period, but he had no defense to offer. At 39, he seems to have become an interchangeable striker within his team, like Derek Ryan, Sam Carrick, Connor Brown, even Mattias Janmark… The list is a bit long for a club aspiring to great honors.
Behind all these beautiful people, Stuart Skinner is less bad than his detractors suggest on social networks. But faced with the brilliance of Sergei Bobrovsky, the contrast is striking.
The Russian certainly made the save of the series – or even the series – against Ryan McLeod with less than five minutes to go. Connor McDavid took advantage of the fact that the goalie had lost sight of the puck to give it to McLeod in the slot, and the latter shot directly at the goalie’s pads.
Would Skinner have made this save? It’s possible. But when you watch the highlights, you can’t help but wince at his ill-timed exit on Vladimir Tarasenko’s goal.
Where the Oilers struggle, the Panthers excel. Practice an effective forecheck. Create scoring chances and take advantage of them. And close the game when necessary.
Imagine: McLeod’s shot, when he was frustrated by Bobrovsky, was the last one the Panthers put on target in the game. And there were 4:14 left on the clock.
Only three shooting attempts followed, and no one hit the target, the result of the brilliant work of the defensive squad led by General Barkov.
The captain of the Panthers will undoubtedly be among the candidates for the Conn-Smythe Trophy if the series were to end quickly, he who is first on his team in points while ruining the lives of the opposing big guns.
The incomparable “gamer” Matthew Tkachuk will also be difficult to ignore, but it is nevertheless Sergei Bobrovksy who should be crowned. His save percentage has increased from series to series, from .896 against Tampa to .907 against Boston to .921 against New York and to .953 against Edmonton.
When you start to wonder who will be named most valuable player to your team, it’s usually because it smells like the end. Obviously, if Connor McDavid starts working his magic again, the tide could turn momentarily. However, the argument “Yes but McDavid! » seems to be reaching its limit.
After the game late Thursday night, Kris Knoblauch told the media there that he thought he saw his team show it could beat the Panthers.
With all respect for him, let us suggest the opposite reading of the situation.