The Edmonton Oilers showed their disdain for losing with some late-game antics in Monday’s Game 3 loss to the Florida Panthers.
Now, the Oilers must find a way to turn their angst into a victory or risk falling into a dangerously deep hole when they resume the Stanley Cup Final on Thursday in Sunrise, Fla.
With the Panthers leading 2-1 in the best-of-seven series, the next clash could either send the series back to Edmonton all-square — and with the Oilers regaining the home-ice advantage — or put the Panthers on the cusp of a second consecutive title against the Oilers.
“We’ve always been a good team at coming back out with a strong effort,” Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl said of turning the page from Monday’s 6-1 loss. “Obviously it was not our best showing, not our best game, but we have a great chance … to show what our team is all about.”
Edmonton must do more than just talk about a better performance. The Oilers reached this point thanks to an improved defense to go with their high-octane attack, but they have been undisciplined in the finals and have struggled keeping pucks out of their net.
Goaltender Stuart Skinner is under the microscope having surrendered 13 goals in the series, and boasting an .866 save percentage. But the Oilers as a whole must find another gear to send the series back to their home on even ground.
“It’s one game. We’re looking for the whole series,” Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm said. “We know we’re down 2-1 and we gotta be better next game … but we’re one win away from having the best-out-of-three (series) with two home games.”
Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said Wednesday there probably will be a lineup change. Troy Stecher is a possibility to move in for defenseman John Klingberg, while Knoblauch would not divulge who will start in goal.
Although they lead the series, the Panthers will look forward and not gloat over their early series lead.
Sure, Florida played a fantastic game, but the message from coach Paul Maurice is to park that victory and prepare to earn the next one because he does not believe momentum carries forward to the next outing.
“Every game starts at zeros, and it’s a reset and it’s a mental reset,” Maurice said. “We got beat 8-1 in Edmonton (in Game 4 during last year’s finals) and then came back and played Game 5 here, and for me that was the best game we played in the entire playoffs and we lost the game.”
After the Panthers slammed the door against Edmonton’s dynamic duo, they had best be ready for Edmonton’s best effort. Draisaitl was held without a shot attempt for the Oilers and Connor McDavid managed only a pair of shots and no points.
“The experience of taking a beating and then being able to come back and play your next game lets you know (character is) there,” Maurice said. “It’s also what we expect from Edmonton.”
What bodes well for the defending Stanley Cup champions is that a pair of top-tier players had their best game of the series in Game 3.
Sam Reinhart, who has been playing through an injury during the Eastern Conference finals against the Carolina Hurricanes, scored once in a two-point outing. Captain Aleksander Barkov has been held without a point in the series but was instrumental in Reinhart’s goal by creating a turnover that led to the score.
“I always can be better but all I’m thinking about is winning the game,” Barkov said.
–Field Level Media
