The rematch of last year’s seven-game series in the finals was expected to deliver another entertaining set, and the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers are delivering as advertised.
Through four games, the set is tied 2-2 after the Oilers, for the second time in the series, erased a multi-goal deficit en route to winning in overtime. To their credit, the defending Stanley Cup champion Panthers showed their moxie with a double-overtime win in Game 2 and followed it with a dominant Game 3 victory between those aforementioned outings.
Now it’s down to a best-of-three, with the Oilers hosting Game 5 on Saturday and holding home-ice advantage.
What will make the difference?
The Panthers are looking every bit as good as last year’s championship squad. Their offensive attack has benefited from seven — yes, seven — power-play goals in the first four games, including two more in Thursday’s affair.
One of Florida’s biggest strengths, thanks to its depth, is the ability to wear down teams physically. The Panthers’ bullying style, combined with a tenacious and physical forecheck, benefits them as a series continues.
Tack on the experience gained from a third consecutive trip to the finals, and you see how they reacted to blowing a huge lead and a chance to take a chokehold on the series.
In the aftermath, there was an unmistakable calmness.
“It’s an emotional grind, that’s part of it and what makes it so sweet when you win,” Panthers forward Sam Reinhart said. “We’re in another battle and wouldn’t want it any other way.”
Credit the Oilers for making it a battle. The reality of this series is that it could have been a sweep by now. Edmonton erased a 3-1 deficit in the series opener and won thanks to Leon Draisaitl’s overtime tally.
The Oilers did one better in Thursday’s 5-4 win, despite falling behind 3-0 in a horrid first period. They pulled even by the second intermission, took a lead late in the third period and watched it disappear in the final 20 seconds of regulation. But the resilient Oilers drummed up another victory thanks to Draisaitl’s second overtime goal of the series and NHL-record fourth extra-time marker of the year.
“He’s as clutch as it gets,” goaltender Calvin Pickard said of Draisaitl. “He always scores big goals at big times, and we’re going home with momentum.”
As much as the Panthers are looking every bit like champions, the Oilers are truly looking like a team of destiny. This is a squad that has won eight times when trailing. They have twice had their hopes saved by Pickard coming into the net when No. 1 netminder Stuart Skinner has been lit up — whether it was his struggles or the fault of the team before him.
If the Oilers can find a way to curb their penalty problems, they could exact revenge on the Panthers. Edmonton could just as easily have the upper hand in this series. Remember, the Oilers twice held a lead in Game 2 before losing in overtime.
Through it all, fans are not the only ones who have witnessed wild momentum swings.
“It’s the craziest hockey I’ve ever played in,” Oilers defenseman Jake Walman said.
It would be no surprise if this series goes to overtime in Game 7 to decide the victor.
And it’s worth asking the question again: Who are you picking to lift the Stanley Cup?
