Pre-Game Talk: Return of the Rat - Stanley Cup Finals '24: Edmonton vs. Florida

[The Panther]

Your username kind of sucks for this series

 

[foshizzle]

The issue was that Dallas didn't need a physical response. They needed fast movement and puck possession.

This Florida series might be different. Knoblauch said that Vinny will play but he basically confirmed it won't be in game 1. That makes sense. Just go with what worked and then reevaluate.

The issue with the teams D has been the logjam at LD, made worse with the Stecher injury. Broberg is playing like its time for him to stay up. Kulak is good in the playoffs. Plus Nurse played better away from Ceci and Desharnais, and with a good skater

Maybe the swap is Ceci for Desharnais? That doesn't solve the LD issue though

Imo Ceci is quite underrated here, but I like Desharnais more

Oilers will need even faster puck movement with Florida. The problem with Vinny is his puck skills aren’t the best and has issues moving the puck. With the Florida forecheck, D men need to get back quick and outlet it quick. The panthers are excellent at closing off the walls, so the puck needs to go up the middle, which Vinny struggles with.

 

[SaltNPeca]

Gotta say….Oilers fans have really upped their game! The best part of every home game opening is seeing the colourful, imaginative and just wow looking fans! Best looking group - and sounding group - in the NHL!
Kudos to you all…you deserve the Stanley Cup!!!!

Heartwarming watching that video

The city has always treasured this team and had those down-to-earth wholesome vibes, but credit needs to go to the city and org. w.r.t the new central Arena, Ice District, Moss Pit, etc. An Oilers fan can really feel engaged even without buying an expensive ticket. Compared to 2006 it feels much more family & community friendly, less drunken-college-party.

 

[ThePhoenixx]

We have some people flying across the world to get here, others clogging their arteries with A&W, and even one who let's us see boobies.

Yet you can't change your hfboards name? If we lose...

 

[ThePhoenixx]

Apparently this was posted by the league. Hmmm...

 

[Dieseloil]

Jackjohnson Three on Zero Divine all Mia we still have Seanmoneyhands hating he is a trooper his hate cannot let go lol

That Jack Johnson poster is a piece of work. He’s the ultimate Oil hater. Small minded:

 

[BlackDogg]

Apparently this was posted by the league. Hmmm...

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2020 seems so long ago

 

[Whoshattenkirkshoes]

Maybe i’m crazy, but I’m not sure if Kulak at RD is an upgrade on Desharnais at RD. Kulak is a gamer and a solid D.. but Desharnais has his strengths and that is his natural position.

I thought VDD really struggled with Nurse but was great with Kulak

 

[jesusbuiltmyhotrod]

Mcdavid has 23 pts in 13 games versus Florida. Guess barkov can’t shut him down completely

As cringe as all the takes i've listened to over the past 48 hours from the hockey world our local Canadian media takes the cringe cake for the most duplicity and insincere reiteration.

The hockey media are really bad tbh. Especially in Canada

 

[Mez]

Apparently this was posted by the league. Hmmm...

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The guys putting together this graphic....

 

[Whoshattenkirkshoes]

This is true.

I guarantee everyone would be picking the Stars over Florida if Dallas beat us.

It was basically a pick em, but for most of the playoffs Dallas was slightly favored

 

[Fourier]

Apparently this was posted by the league. Hmmm...

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Actually for the NHL this is pretty good. They have the two teams in the final right. What more did you expect???

 

[BlackDogg]

Just need the whole week off next week for stress related reasons.

 

[EchoesoftheEighties]

Drake bet 500k on the Oilers to win

I hope we're not f***ed now

 

[Zerotonine]

That Jack Johnson poster is a piece of work. He’s the ultimate Oil hater. Small minded:

No body comes close to three on 0

 

[Fourier]

I appreciate reading your posts as they are always very insightful, intelligent, and analytical. I guess that I still have PTSD flashbacks from the Vegas series where Draisaitl's line, which had Yamamoto and McLeod on the wings, got their teeth kicked in by Eichel's line. I agree that he and McDavid should be separated but thought that giving Nuge to Draisaitl would spread the depth a bit better between the top two lines. You posts explained another angle that I hadn't previously considered in that Knob is trying to create different identities for each line. Draisaitl's existing injury/injuries may impede him from reaching his potential without adequate wing (and D-core) support. Hopefully the time off gives his injuries at least somewhat adequate time to heal. I agree that the team comes first but in order to win, the Oilers need every player in the best position to succeed. Here's hoping that Knob has it figured out.

You are correct that Draisaitl's line had some problems with the Eichel line but McLeod was not part of that. McLeod played over 17 minutes vs Eichel 5 vs 5 in that series and was only one the ice for 1 GA 5 vs 5. Leon played 28 minutes vs Eichel and was on the ice for 4 GA.

What needs to be noted is that Vegas exploited the Oilers defensive structure, specifically the man to man defense. For what it is worth over the last two regular seasons Leon vs Eichel without McDavid has been solid. GF% is 50% but the possession numbers and scoring chances favoured Leon with a 59% xGF% .

 

[McJadeddog]

Oilers will need even faster puck movement with Florida. The problem with Vinny is his puck skills aren’t the best and has issues moving the puck. With the Florida forecheck, D men need to get back quick and outlet it quick. The panthers are excellent at closing off the walls, so the puck needs to go up the middle, which Vinny struggles with.

This is exactly the reason why I think its really, REALLY, obvious to start Broberg in game 1. If the "stage" ends up being to big/bright for him and he is making lots of mistakes, then fine, put the older VD into the game. But I think your best chance of winning the series is with Broberg in the game.

 

[McShogun99]

Apparently this was posted by the league. Hmmm...

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Dam, I missed the big cup win in 99. Nice to see Marchant and the boys lifting the Cup after a big series win against Dallas.

 

[Dieseloil]

No body comes close to three on 0

Ya, can’t argue with that

 

[elmeroil]

This is exactly the reason why I think its really, REALLY, obvious to start Broberg in game 1. If the "stage" ends up being to big/bright for him and he is making lots of mistakes, then fine, put the older VD into the game. But I think your best chance of winning the series is with Broberg in the game.

The way Broberg played so far I think it's his spot to lose right now

Dam, I missed the big cup win in 99. Nice to see Marchant and the boys lifting the Cup after a big series win against Dallas.

I was there and I didn't even know, handing out Cups like candy I guess. Good job Weight and the boys, guess I missed the parade.

 

[mkatcherin00]

Great to be back after a 2 month ban gents!

Wow. After all of the debating I had with Canuck fans all year, we kick them out of the playoffs. That was sweet.

Proud of the team. Went from last place to the finals. 18 long years.

 

[jukon]

Talking about Stanley Cup experience, the Oilers have about 1356 career playoff GP to the Panthers at 1131 career playoff GP. Even if you remove Perry's 209 GP, we still have 1147 to their 1131.

 

[PositiveCashFlow]

Apparently this was posted by the league. Hmmm...

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Wow they really wanted Dallas to win

 

[iCanada]

Great to be back after a 2 month ban gents!

Wow. After all of the debating I had with Canuck fans all year, we kick them out of the playoffs. That was sweet.

Proud of the team. Went from last place to the finals. 18 long years.

Welcome back. Play nice on the mains you goofball.

 

[brentashton]

We were in the SCFinal in 2020, only one SC win?? Whoever did this graphic is inept.