Initially, everyone anticipated the Stanley Cup Final to be a battle between Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl up against Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart. The best scorers with the most skill against the best defensive forwards in the game. That’s what happened a year ago with Barkov notably matching up against McDavid to limit the Edmonton Oilers star in the final two games, giving the Florida Panthers the Cup title.
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Sam Bennett is the one standing out for the Panthers so far, with three goals through the first two games. Brad Marchand also has three goals, including the game-winner in double overtime of Game 2, but the Bennett line has been the best for the Panthers as it’s generating offence while also limiting the Oilers’ offence. It allowed them to split the first two games in Edmonton and head to South Beach with a chance to take over the series.
The series heads to Florida for Games 3 and 4, and the Oilers look to take the momentum back. It starts with limiting Bennett and his line, which also has Matthew Tkachuk and Carter Verhaeghe on it, two forwards who have four assists in the two games played. The Oilers have the blueprint to do that, and the question is whether they can execute it or not.
Oilers Must Keep Series Fast-Paced
The first two games were fast as both teams were flying up and down the ice. It helps that Rogers Place is known for having great ice, but both teams set the tone for the series by moving the puck, creating rush chances, and pressing the opposing goaltenders. It explains the 16 combined goals in two games.
The Panthers want to slow things down. Sure, they can play a run-and-gun style and go goal for goal with the Oilers, but that’s not how they’ll win this series. Last year, they controlled the series with their forecheck and by slowing the game down, with Bennett, Tkachuk, and the forwards leading the way.
The Oilers must prevent that from happening. The pace allowed them to come back from a 3-1 deficit to win Game 1 in overtime 4-3, and it helped them score in the final minute of regulation in Game 2. The road…
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