Pre-Game Talk: Oil vs Rat - The Sequel

[voxel]

This Panthers team is no joke with Marchand, Jones, and pretty healthy group that is the mostly the same as last year.

I think our depth can keep up but I do worry about Skinner. The Panthers are like the Kings on turbo mode and physical.

 

[McDrai]

All I know is that there is no way Florida beats us for a second time in a row. This is a team of destiny (Oilers in 4)

 

[OilerTyler]

Wouldn't be the first time Knob has sat Skinner after scoring a goal the previous game

I'd guess he's out for C Brown for Game 1 of the Finals

I could definitely see Skinner being scratched for game 1. I also remember last season when we scored 4 goals total in the first 3 games of the series (2 of them scored by defensemen). Our struggling offence was the main reason we ended up in a 3-0 hole. Say what you want about Skinner's toughness, speed or defensive ability but he is a goal scorer and goals win games. He's clearly highly motivated and was given an opportunity tonight and didn't let it go to waste. He could be really useful in the finals.

I know he's potted a couple empty net goals in the last couple games but I still think Kapanen is our weakest forward.

 

[Gnome17]

Have to jump on this team early. You can't play catchup all the time. We already know from the Leafs series that they can come back and haunt you if you let them off the mat.

BUUUUT we ALSO know from the Leafs series that they are Vulnerable. Have the Panthers faced a team even close to the Oilers this post season? The east has seemed hella weak. But yes, Panthers will be fighting and
battling and they will never be an easy out. But I really wonder if theyve faced a team like this Oilers group since well...last finals. And this Oilers team is different.

 

[Niten Ichi Ryu]

Couldn't have asked for a better opponent in the SCF. The way the Oilers lost last year, and to have redemption the very next year against the same team is an opportunity that very few have gotten to experience

SCF Edmonton:
Minus: Holloway, Broberg, McLeod, Feogele, Ceci, D. Ryan, Desharnais, Carrick, (*Hyman)
Added: Podkolzin, Walman, Arvidsson, Kapanen, Klingberg, Frederic

Massive difference in regards to experience, grit and diverse player types

SCF Florida:
Minus: Tarasenko, Ekman-Larsson, Stenlund, Montour, Cousins, Lomberg, Okposo
Added: Greer, Schmidt, Boqvist, Balinskis, Nosek, Samoskevich, Jones, Marchand

Ekman-Larsson was a huge factor in the finals last year, and a primary factor why Toronto took Florida to 7. Also Montour was a very good puck mover for them, especially on the powerplay. Imo, this year's Oilers is going to smash this year's Florida. Don't' want to jinx it, but this is going to be a slaughter

Just imagine...."And your 2025 Stanley cup Champions are the Edmonton Oilers! The Cup is now back in Canada for the first time in 32 years!". Surreal just thinking about it. Ya'll deserve it. And all the "McDavid will never win a cup in Edmonton" crowd can finally shut tf up.

But getting ahead of myself. Game 1. Wednesday. Let's go to war

 

[avocadosmoothie]

BUUUUT we ALSO know from the Leafs series that they are Vulnerable. Have the Panthers faced a team even close to the Oilers this post season? The east has seemed hella weak. But yes, Panthers will be fighting a battling and they will never be an easy out. But I really wonder if theyve faced a team like this Oilers group since well...last finals. And this Oilers team is different.

Yeah I’m really still not sure what to make of that. How do they clean TB 4-1 and then go 7 against a team with superstars that perform at 75% of their cap hit during the playoffs, 2 goals from their bottom six, and a purely average NHL defense? Not to mention they took out their .926 starting netminder in the first game.

 

[Gnome17]

Yeah I’m really still not sure what to make of that. How do they clean TB 4-1 and then go 7 against a team with superstars that perform at 75% of their cap hit during the playoffs, 2 goals from their bottom six, and a purely average NHL defense? Not to mention they took out their .926 starting netminder in the first game.

yeah in a way I feel like these panthers havent been tested yet. Its been a strange playoffs for them.
Im not saying that to write them off in any way, theyve proven these past couple years theyre a very calm collected experienced team but maybe there could be a bit of a shock in the first game or two if Oilers really pour it on.

 

[Bryanbryoil]

Really didn't think the team had it in them to get this far even as recently as a month ago.

Not sure if this is unpopular but assuming Brown is good to go for game 1 I think it should be Frederic who sits.

Frederic and Kane will come in handy against Florida. The are by far the most physical team that we'll face these playoffs.

 

[Oilhawks]

I could definitely see Skinner being scratched for game 1. I also remember last season when we scored 4 goals total in the first 3 games of the series (2 of them scored by defensemen). Our struggling offence was the main reason we ended up in a 3-0 hole. Say what you want about Skinner's toughness, speed or defensive ability but he is a goal scorer and goals win games. He's clearly highly motivated and was given an opportunity tonight and didn't let it go to waste. He could be really useful in the finals.

I know he's potted a couple empty net goals in the last couple games but I still think Kapanen is our weakest forward.

I agree, Kapanen should be the one coming out (even after his legendary series winning OT goal be Vegas), he’s the weakest forward and the fancies bear that out.

But Knob really likes the player and his speed and physicality will likely keep him in

 

[MessierII]

I agree, Kapanen should be the one coming out (even after his legendary series winning OT goal be Vegas), he’s the weakest forward and the fancies bear that out.

But Knob really likes the player and his speed and physicality will likely keep him in

I would pull Arvidsson out personally. Not that he’s played bad but I think with Hyman out we need skinners scoring threat. Kapanen brings speed, physicality and PK ability. I think Arvidsson comes out.

 

[redgrant]

Just a reminder one cup won by hockey royalty in Canada is worth 27 cups where they can take it out to the beach and no one knows what the hell is going on.

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

It’s been Oilers in 7 each series for me and we keep winning so I’m not changing a damn thing.

 

[bellagiobob]

LA has been the best team we have played so far, followed by Vegas and then Dallas. FLA is a completely different beast, with top end talent, great depth, an excellent D corp and a top notch goalie. Plus they enjoy trying to kick the crap out of you. It’s going to be a grind, but our boys are all business this year, and I have confidence they get the job done.

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

Still the underdog. Good. It suits us better.

 

[PositiveCashFlow]

Home ice.

And the GM was the architect of the closest thing to a dynasty in the modern era

 

[MikeS24]

Pretty sure McDavid was banged up, Drai was pretty much done, Kane was done last year.

Coming in much more fresh and healthier.

Need to pounce on this team at home.

Need to not get into their dirty garbage.

Tkachuk is not healthy this playoff run. He just looks like a passenger. Wondering how Reinhart is. He played last game, but his knee didn't look great when he went out. Mr Listerine was out last game. He looks great on their 3rd line.

Hope they remember you have to go high on Bob on breakaways

FLA plays a very agressive forecheck. They give up a lot of chances the other way

 

[Tarus]

Panthers absolutely punished the eastern conference with their forechecking on opposing team's defense, Edmonton might have the best puck moving defense in these playoffs to counter it though. Mildly concerned about the Nurse pairing and whatever lefty they put on it, as that could become a major liability pulling off quick and effective puck movement out of the zone, they were already getting caught by the Stars in game 5 who aren't near as dangerous.

Also hope that Panther's pick-game on opposing forecheckers don't become too much of a problem, it's crazy the amount of obstruction and interference they were getting away with leading up to the finals.

 

[redgrant]

Still really disappointed about game 7 last year. Felt they came out flat and Mcdrai let the team down and themselves down when it mattered the most.

Can't have this happen again. Need to see their names all over the score sheet every game.

 

[syz]

Still the underdog. Good. It suits us better.

Interestingly the analytics models would be 50-50 with Hyman's numbers factored in. Though I'm not sure if any of them account for Ekholm.

 

[McClelland]

East is much weaker then west these days, so Fla gets overated

Oilers has been relentless since game 3 against LA, everyone buy into the system, McDrai has much left in the tank, running 4 lines and have dephtscoring.

Dont think they blow this!

 

[Shizuka]

Frederic and Kane will come in handy against Florida. The are by far the most physical team that we'll face these playoffs.

Frederic's kinda been AWOL in the physical department, honestly. Slow boots, not all that noticeable hitting wise.. I don't know, not sure about him especially in light of his contract status. Kane has enough offensive acumen that he can still be effective even if he isn't physical every single shift.

Still, he's an Oiler in this moment so hoping that he shows up and is a noticeable presence in a positive way.

 

[Tarus]

Still really disappointed about game 7 last year. Felt they came out flat and Mcdrai let the team down and themselves down when it mattered the most.

Can't have this happen again. Need to see their names all over the score sheet every game.

They didn't really come out flat. Florida had a reset and played basically a perfect game where Edmonton effectively had no ability to get anything done. Carolina did exactly the same thing to Edmonton in 2006 where they basically had one or two chances all game because everything was in absolute lockdown.

Going into an opposing team's building and trying to win game 7 in the cup finals, no matter how much the momentum shifted in your favor, is just a monumental task for any team.

 

[Arpeggio]

They didn't really come out flat. Florida had a reset and played basically a perfect game where Edmonton effectively had no ability to get anything done. Carolina did exactly the same thing to Edmonton in 2006 where they basically had one or two chances all game because everything was in absolute lockdown.

Going into an opposing team's building and trying to win game 7, no matter how much the momentum shifted in your favor, is just a monumental task for any team.

Even then they had the chances, they just didn't go in. It is what it is. LET'S GET IT DONE! f*** boys I can't believe we're back, I'm so pumped.

 

[MikeS24]

Man I hope they can pull it off. I want to see Mcdavid get his cup so bad.

Yeah. This is going to be so anxiety inducing for me.

I just cannot see McDrai letting this 2nd chance slip.

Last years loss still runs through my head daily lol.

I don't even want to think of another one this year.

 

[MikeS24]

I could see this team being where still good older players who have no cup want to come sign for a year

Toews is 37. He is going to try coming back next year..