The Edmonton Oilers have thus far experienced a cruel reversal of their fortunes in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, having dropped both Games 1 and 2 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers. What's even more alarming is the fact that the vaunted offensive attack of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman has been completely neutralized; the only Oilers player to beat goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is defenseman Mattias Ekholm.
They now find themselves on the ropes as the series shifts to Edmonton for the first Stanley Cup Final game since 2006; a loss would all but ensure their impending demise. The last two teams to rebound and lift the Stanley Cup after falling behind two games to none were the 2009 Pittsburgh Penguins (vs. Detroit) and 2011 Boston Bruins (vs. Vancouver). What exactly does Thursday night hold in store for the Oilers?
Connor McDavid finally breaks out
McDavid, who is playing in his 9th NHL season, has finally reached the Stanley Cup Final for the first time. But so far in the first two games of the series, he's managed one lone assist while firing nine shots on Bobrovsky.
Meanwhile, the Oilers as a team set some unfortunate history in Game 2, having amassed only six shots on goal through the first two periods – the lowest total in the first 40 minutes of a Cup Final game since the stat began being recorded in 1960. The Panthers, known for their stifling defensive play, have driven McDavid along with the rest of his teammates mad.
According to McDavid, he's looking forward to seeing how his team will respond to the adversity they face, via NHL.com.
“It’s exciting, it’s another opportunity for our group to come together and dig our way out,” McDavid said. “It’s supposed to be hard; it’s supposed to be difficult, and I’m excited to see what our group is made of. I’m excited to see our group come together, I’m excited to see us fight through adversity and I’m looking forward to people doubting us again with our backs against the wall.”
McDavid is too talented a player to be completely contained, even by Florida. Don't be surprised if he scores on Thursday night, especially in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Rogers Place. It will also be a significant advantage for the Oilers if Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov, who was injured after a controversial hit from Draisaitl, is unable to play.
Currently, his status for Game 3 is uncertain. As one of the best defensive forwards in hockey, he has been crucial in limiting Edmonton's scoring opportunities, and his potential absence would leave a major hole in the Panthers lineup.
The Oilers power play finally begins to heat up
Another surprising statistic in the Cup final for the Oilers is that they've failed to convert on every one of their power play chances, including four opportunities last night. Plenty of weapons on the Oilers have yet to register a point in the series, including Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Zach Hyman, and Evander Kane.
The Oilers will finally break through on the man advantage on Thursday, putting an end to the Panthers' “unique” penalty killing.
“We have to work our way out of it, it always starts with work with our group,” McDavid said. “They’re a unique penalty kill, just like they’re a unique team. They’re aggressive, we have to have guys ready for the puck, we have to have guys making good plays. We have to string good plays together and we haven’t been able to do that.”
Edmonton's depth showcases its talent on home ice
While the Oilers have several notable players who can intimidate opposing goaltenders and defensemen, they also have several less flashy players who contribute to the team's reputation as one of the deepest in hockey. Players like Adam Henrique, Dylan Holloway, Corey Perry, and Mattias Janmark will be relied upon to perform under pressure.
Thursday's game is particularly advantageous for the Oilers because they will be back in front of their home fans at Rogers Place, where they have won four of their last five games. If the atmosphere is anything like the last Stanley Cup Final game in Edmonton, the Panthers are in for a noisy night. Not only will the eyes of Edmonton be on the Oilers, but the entire nation of Canada is excited to host its first Cup Final game since 2011. The Oilers should be able to rise to the occasion and work their way back into the series, something they desperately need to do to avoid falling into a three-games-to-none hole.
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