Matheson: Florida Panthers ‘making it tough’ on Edmonton Oilers

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SUNRISE, FLA. — The story’s been told but requires retelling.

After the Edmonton Oilers were swept four straight by the New York Islanders on their first trip to the Stanley Cup finals in 1983, they walked by Denis Potvin, Bryan Trottier and Co. in their dressing room and saw a lot of ice bags and weary bodies.

“We saw what it took,” said Oiler defenceman Kevin Lowe.

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The Oilers did not fully understand that there, was an increased and desperate level of battle once you got to within four wins to carry the Cup. It’s a scrum to get to where the goals are scored, a fight to keep people from setting up shop there. They used that fuel to win the next year but the first time around was educational.

It is the same story today for the 2024 version of the Oilers. They are down two games to the Florida Panthers and have one goal.

They could have won Game 1, probably should have won, but Sergei Bobvrovsky was too good. But in the third period of the first game, they had three shots, down 2-0 in the game because the Panthers wouldn’t let them get anywhere near the net.

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Game 2 repeat

In the first two periods of Game 2, it was the same tale of woe. The Oilers had seven shots, only three by forwards, so 10 total over the equivalent of 60 minutes.

And in the third Florida did what Florida does. They checked the Oilers over and over, shutting them down but for some wishing and hoping shots but for Connor McDavid’s breakaway. In the playoffs, Florida has scored 28 goals and given up 11 in the third period.

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So it’s obvious. There is a want and there is a need to get to the areas to score for the Oilers.

The try is there but the Panthers are often pushing them to the perimeter, not as far outside as the Anthony Henday but the Oilers are not getting to the inner core to score.

Just like the Islanders did to Gretzky and Messier who were both in the house Monday in Florida as it turned out.

From the other end of the rink, courtesy the Miami Herald

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Right now it is not about X’s and O’s from the coaching staff. It is more of an “uh, oh” from the players to dig in, harder. Dallas was talented and deep in the Western final as the Oilers overcame a 2-0 hole against a team many picked to win it all. They refused to lose in the last three games when people doubted their resolve.

Good on them but Florida is way nastier, of tougher fibre. Different animal.

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“At this time of year,” said a long-time NHL coach, “it’s all about getting to the inside. Doesn’t matter who you are, biggest player, smallest player. There are too many Oiler players on the outside.”

“You have to commit to going into that hard area. The playoffs at this time of year are, what I call, a fight for space. Florida’s winning that fight right now. The Oilers can still win this thing but that has to change,” he said.

“Game 1 it was right there for the Oilers but Edmonton led them off the hook after all their chances. They never had one in the third period of that first game,” said the coach.

“Florida gets a do-over in Game 2 and it’s more of the same (defensive hardness).”

Florida ‘a tenacious group’: Knoblauch

No argument from Oiler coach Kris Knoblauch who sees the same thing.

“They just check, mark their man and play the body. They’re a tenacious group and they are making it tough to get any space out there,” he said of the last four periods.

McDavid has been the best of Oiler big guns with his nine shots and the Panthers have had trouble with his speed like the rest of the hockey world. Draisaitl wasn’t happy with his Game 2 and said so. Zach Hyman isn’t getting to where he routinely scores from, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was dangerous in Game 1 but barely noticeable in Game 2.

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And the rest of the forwards?

Evander Kane is a shadow of his usual self playing on one leg and a prayer. There’s been little from Ryan McLeod, Warren Foegele, Adam Henrique or rookie Dylan Holloway who may have hit the wall. Mattias Janmark and Connor Brown have been good foot soldiers.

Draisaitl, forwards ‘need to dig’ deeper

“Leon has to dig a lot deeper. I think he knows that,” said the veteran coach.

“They’re playing tough against everybody. They’re saying if you want to get inside there is a price to pay and that is every forward. There’s no negotiating here.

“The Oilers have too many forwards forced outside. They have to find that price. This isn’t about X’s and O’s,” he said.

The mission statement from the Panthers is simple and direct after losing to Vegas in the finals last spring.

“Playoff hockey is different, we talk about this in training camp. It’s hard and the buy-in isn’t from the coach. It’s the player’s willingness,” said Florida coach Paul Maurice.

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“It’s nothing I’m doing. This was game 204 over the last two years and we have worked really, really hard for 204 games to get to this,” he said.

The veteran coach agrees with Maurice.

“This is one of the final lessons you have to learn to win a championship,” he said.

“The Oilers can absolutely still win but right now Florida has more depth playing harder. Like I said it is simple for me…fight for your space,” he said.

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