Panthers keeping cool as host
Oilers try to force Game 7 in finals
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[June 21, 2024]
Pressure? What pressure?
That is the attitude of the Florida Panthers are they prepare for
their third chance to close out the Stanley Cup Final on Friday at
the Edmonton Oilers.
The Panthers appeared well on their way to claiming the first
championship in franchise history while winning the first three
games of the best-of-seven series, but have dropped the last two
games, the latest Tuesday's 5-3 loss in Sunrise, Fla.
The Panthers are doing their best to remain calm about the moment,
knowing full well the screws will tighten if they drop this game and
head to a deciding Game 7 at home.
"Go up there and we've got to win one game," forward Evan Rodrigues
said. "That's our mindset and that's what we're going to do."
That said, the Panthers are not sticking with status quo. Coach Paul
Maurice appears set to make a couple of changes based on Thursday's
practice. Left winger Carter Verhaeghe, in need of an offensive
jolt, skated on the top line while fellow left winger Rodrigues
switched spots and was moved to the second line.
As well, forward Nick Cousins received a present on his 31st
birthday with news he will be back in the lineup in place of Kyle
Okposo on the fourth line. Cousins had been a healthy scratch for
the past eight postseason games.
"Those guys that have kind of come in and out of the lineup, you can
just tell that it's not easy for them," Maurice said. "But in their
off-time, and being under less game intensity, they come back in and
they're jacked."
Whether those roster moves and the reset after last game are the
tonic for the Panthers remains to be seen, but the Oilers have
pulled back from the brink with a couple of outstanding
performances.
They are looking to join only the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs to win
the Stanley Cup after losing the first three games of the finals.
"We feel very fortunate to be in this situation, but I know I have a
team full of guys who are hungry to make sure they get to play two
more games and not just one," coach Kris Knoblauch said.
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Jun 18, 2024; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers forward Evan
Rodrigues (17) battles for the puck against Edmonton Oilers forward
Leon Draisaitl (29) during the second period in game five of the
2024 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim
Rassol-USA TODAY Sports
The Oilers have executed the game plan perfectly to
turn the tide. Not only have they won the last two games, but the
victories came in emphatic fashion by a combined 13-4 score. Holding
the Panthers in check while showing their high-octane offense has
been an impressive feat.
"It's been lovely to see," goaltender Stuart Skinner said. "I think
we've got a lot of guys fully committed to playing both ends of the
ice, which is an absolute need, especially at this time of the
year."
Of course it helps when the Oilers have Connor McDavid leading the
way. McDavid, who is only the third player in NHL history to collect
40 points in a single postseason, posted consecutive four-point
performances to elevate his team to this point in their comeback. He
is at 42, only behind Wayne Gretzky with 47 in 1985, Mario Lemiuex
with 44 in 1991 and Gretzky with 43 in 1988.
This year's playoff run has shown McDavid's ability to embrace the
biggest of moments and excel during them.
"You spend your life working to get into a position like this. When
you're here, you think there's going to be some magic feeling, but
it's all been pretty normal," McDavid said. "This has always been
part of the plan for our group. A position like this, playing big
games at home, big moments, and there's another tomorrow night."
--Field Level Media
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