LeBrun: The Panthers weather the storm from the Oilers, but they still lack their power-play kryptonite.
“On certain nights, the players are the primary motivator,” stated Panthers head coach Paul Maurice of his penalty-killing squad, which came into the Cup Final as the second-best in the postseason. The driver for the evening was Sergei Bobrovsky. Playing a squad with a power play like that is quite uncommon. True enough. Furthermore, the Panthers felt more like they got away with it on Saturday night than like they had discovered the Oilers’ PP’s Kryptonite.
Panthers penalty killer Sam Reinhart echoed, saying, “On the kill, Bob made the saves when he had to.” They have arguably had the league’s greatest power play for the past few years. They are quite lively as a result. They’ll play the same moves if you’re a touch too cautious and allow them some space. Therefore, we must continue to be aggressive and make the right decisions.
They were combative. The star-studded Edmonton power play unit was under intense pressure from Florida’s penalty kills. I know that in the week leading up to the Cup Final, Maurice sought advice from his close friend Pete DeBoer, and he might have received some information regarding the deadly Oilers power play from the head coach of the Dallas Stars.
In any case, the Oilers had to make quicker decisions due to the Panthers’ aggressive penalty killers. Edmonton did, however, adapt and maintain its appearance. Star player for the Oilers, Connor McDavid, stated, “We generated chances.” We exchanged glances. There’s not a lot of puck luck around their net. The Oilers’ three power plays resulted in nine scoring opportunities, including five high-danger looks, according to Natural Stat Trick.
A power-play breakaway was made by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.Zach Hyman was in a few close calls.Using his trademark Bouch Bomb, Evan Bouchard blasted. Although Edmonton’s top weapon failed to score, the stat line may read 0-for-3, but that shouldn’t demoralize them. Vancouver Canucks coach Rick Tocchet said to The Athletic on Saturday night, “The Oilers don’t get discouraged when they don’t score on the PP because they always get really good looks on the next one.”
It should be obvious to him. In the subsequent round, he experienced it.”I would be scared to take one penalty,” said Hockey Hall of Fame coach Ken Hitchcock in a text message regarding the Panthers following the game.I interviewed some of the best defensive minds in the league for a May 1 story about the deadly Oilers power play, and their insights are valuable to keep in mind.
Holy moly, Patrice Bergeron, the six-time Selke Trophy winner, said, “I don’t know if I have an answer for that.””How would you defend Edmonton’s manoeuvres? With a grin, former Jack Adams Award-winning coach Dave Tippett advised against accepting penalties.”It’s a good excuse to not be a coach,” quips Hitchcock.
Stanley Cup-winning coach Craig Berube stated, “The best way to stop it is to stay out of the penalty box.” “Hope the goalie’s great, lol,” coach Gerard Gallant said in jest when the players were clicking. How do we break up the Oilers’ power play? Several of the NHL’s greatest defensive wits have the following to say:
On Saturday night, the Panthers did not remain unconventional. In reality, the Oilers would have been thrilled to learn they would have three power-play opportunities prior to the game. Whether the four series referees would call the standard or not was a major source of internal anxiety for the Oilers before to this series. Without a doubt, series supervisor Kris King and the Oilers discussed that during their pre-series meeting.
The Oilers, as it happens, had their chances. Game 1 saw the officiating standard upheld. But thanks to a fantastic goalie, Florida managed to elude the Oilers’ power-play fury and return to Gallant. Which teamโthe Oilers’ power play or the Panthers’ penalty killโwill alter its strategy more before Game 2?
“I believe that their pressure is strong,” Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch remarked following Florida’s penalty kill victory. We have a great opportunity to score, as long as we anticipate it and are prepared for it. We were able to accomplish that, I believe, a few times.But in my opinion, executing a power play just entails making a pass to end the play. Indeed, there were some excellent opportunities for us.
The Oilers’ power play enjoyed a 4-for-5 run after beginning the Western Conference finals 0-for-6, as Knoblauch noted.Knoblauch stated, “There’s always the law of averages.” Things come together in the long run. This explains why a seven-game series rather than a one-game elimination round is being played.The man who has 68 goals in both the regular season and the power play combined is likely to complete one or two games if you give Hyman a few more looks on the power play in Game 2.
During his career, Hyman said on Saturday night, “I’ve had a lot of chances, and you continue to get them and eventually they’re going to go in and when they go in, they go in bunches, and sometimes you have an amazing look and it doesn’t go in and sometimes it hits your shin pad and it goes in.” “A funny game is hockey.” The important thing is to keep your cool. All you do is keep playing your game. Thus, the series consists of seven games. And you venture forth and carry out your task.
“I enjoyed the game we played. We each had our own looks. Even if we don’t score against them tonight, I think we can still score. Not only does the Oilers’ power play create several opportunities, but it also tends to build momentum for subsequent five-on-five possessions even in the event that it is unsuccessful in scoring. One element influences the other. Will the Oilers actually lose the Cup Final on the power play?
Florida understands it needs to step up its game going ahead, which is the reason behind that. The Panthers, I believe, will also. And the Oilers can build on a lot of their first-game advantages. Hitchcock declared on Saturday night, “I would say the Oilers played very well.” There are numerous features that you would find appealing. They must now muster the same amount of energy and outwork the goalie.