There is no reason for the Edmonton Oilers to hit the panic button, wait, let us finish our thought, on their roster. Let’s be clear, if we were referring to the Stanley Cup Final series they currently find themselves in a 2-0 hole at the hands of the Florida Panthers, still panic might not be the right word, but they are in for it. What hitting the panic button was referring to was the mantra that 2023-24 is Stanley Cup victory or bust that has been the message from captain Connor McDavid and his crime-fighting partner, Leon Draisaitl. We will focus on the series itself, but first some thoughts on the club beyond this year’s playoff run.
Connor McDavid’s Edmonton Oilers Are Down 2-0 in the Stanley Cup Finals
The Edmonton Oilers need to keep in mind, that they are playing a Florida team that is constructed with a ton of depth. The Panthers were here before, as many of the players on the current roster played in the 2023 Stanley Cup finals as well. Therefore, they experienced their own growing pains during their defeat to the Vegas Golden Knights last year. It’s likely a main reason General Manager Bill Zito went out and added all the roster depth he did add.
So, as they battle for the Stanley Cup, Connor McDavid and the rest of the Edmonton Oilers need to be aware of all these details. But at this time, and depending on the series result, throughout the summer as well, they need to remember who they are. What got them here, and how they could possibly get over the hump. And what better angle to explore first off, is the tremendously talented Oilers offensive players.
As the Stanley Cup Finals Begin, Edmonton Oiler Players Chasing History
Some of the Top Playoff Players in the League Right Now
If we take a look at the active players’ playoff point leaders, Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins leads everyone with 201. In contrast, if we study those active players who began their NHL career in 2013 or later, we have
- Nikita Kucherov – 167
- Nathan MacKinnon – 114
- Connor McDavid – 107
- Leon Draisaitl – 105
- Mikko Rantanen – 101
We clearly see the dominance of the Oilers two superstars. Also, if we compare their core of top players to that of the Panthers, the Oilers are younger.
- Matthew Tkachuk – LW – Age 26
- Aaron Ekblad – D – Age 27
- Sam Reinhart – C – Age 28
- Aleksander Barkov – C – Age 28
- Sergei Bobrovsky – G – Age 35
Meanwhile, for a similar stardom level group for the Oilers
- Evan Bouchard – D – Age 24
- Stuart Skinner – G – Age 25
- Connor McDavid – C – Age 27
- Leon Draisaitl – C – Age 28
- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – C – Age 30
Therefore, this Oilers group needs to be aware of who they are. They proved to everyone finally that they can make it this far, no one is doubting them anymore. Collectively, as a group, they need to realize this isn’t a one-and-done. They will be here again. That means that they need to relax.
What About Connor McDavid in the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals
Looking at the Stanley Cup Final series through two games thus far, Connor McDavid does seem nervous. Yes, he is skating fast, and generating offence. Furthermore, he is making tons of high-danger chances happen by throwing lots of cross-seam passes, thus attacking the opponent’s goal.
However, now as the series shifts back to Edmonton, Alberta, the Oilers need to soak up the energy from the heavily biased, home crowd. McDavid needs to settle down, and perhaps hang on to it a bit longer and wait until the plays are there. The way he is skating, the openings will come. Additionally, he needs to relax and shoot the puck when the opportunity so presents itself. Or at least have guys like Nugent-Hopkins or Draisaitl peppering Panther goalie Sergei Bobrovsky with the high-quality shots we expect out of them.
Oilers Superstars Need to Break Through
Everyone is banged up this time of year, but it seems that crucial clutch offensive output has slowed down. For example, Leon Draisaitl had a torrent pace to start the playoffs with 25 points through the first 13 games. Conversely, he has fallen off with just three points in the seven games since. Nugent-Hopkins has very similar negative regression as the playoffs have progressed. In those same number of game spans, he initially had 17 points in 13 games. However, he matched Draisaitl in points since then as well. They simply cannot continue to fail to capitalize on their chances. The Panthers are only going to bend so much, and Bobrovsky seems to have turned back the clock to his former Vezina winning level, after a mediocre regular season by the statistics.
Notes on the Series and Game Two
The Edmonton Oilers need to use the feistiness that was there in game two, to their advantage. They need to direct it to the front of the goal, along with pucks. Saying game two was wild, might be an understatement.
Game two kind of started with lots of uncertainty surrounding the Oilers lineup. Evander Kane did end up playing the game, despite missing the morning skate on Monday. He continues to feel the effects of a sports hernia, and you can notice him on the bench, not even wanting to take a seat. Moreover, it was an interesting choice by Head Coach Kris Knoblauch to sit the playoff king, Corey Perry. Perry leads all active players in playoff games played. You might think he would’ve been just what the doctor ordered for a game like it ended up being.
Other notes from the game, Sam Carrick ended up being fined. He slashed the Panthers Dmitry Kulikov to earn the punishment. Also, Leon Draisaitl ended up not being punished by the league for a questionable blow to the head of Barkov. Barkov did leave the game but was skating fine with the Panthers in their practices since that hit. As per usual, Sam Bennett was into the theatrics, with an early tripping penalty he took on Evan Bouchard. Perhaps the refs were concerned with maintaining some semblance of order in the game. As it wasn’t long after, that Warren Foegele got ejected for a kneeing penalty. Even though it was worthy of a penalty, lots of people questioned it demanding such a steep and impactful penalty. It would force the Oilers to play a man down from early on in the game. Can we anticipate that edge to game two to carry over to game three, most assuredly so. Puck drop goes Thursday evening from Rogers Place.
Main photo credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports
