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

[gretzkyoilers]

Bedard couldn't even get a medal at the World loser championships. Whats he done?

The McD first goal last night was LEGEND. The whole sporting world should be seeing that goal, that wizardry! That ain't some cheap dime store trick or lacrosse move nobody else scores that goal.

Yup! I sent that to my sister who does not watch hockey and was in complete amazement. McDavid is one of the GOATs and that goal will be player for years to come as one of the greatest ever. Reminds me of the famous Jagr goal against the Hawks

 

[JordanGalhanth]

I voted Oilers in 6, but I personally hope they win in 4 or 6 (not 5 or 7) so that Edmonton can see Connor hoist the Cup at home. That would just be extra special beyond belief.

 

[Canovin]

I voted Oilers in 6, but I personally hope they win in 4 or 6 (not 5 or 7) so that Edmonton can see Connor hoist the Cup at home. That would just be extra special beyond belief.

You can see them hoist the cup in the parade on 118 ave (if we win)

 

[Yablo21]

Really agonizing but good for the Oilers to get some rest and heal some bruises as their Game 6 was way more grueling than the Panthers Game 6 was.

I think this series suits Kane and Perry better so I expect them to play a bigger factor. Might see more of Carrick too and possibly Desharnais for some games although how do you take Broberg out? Maybe Ceci gets swapped out for a game or 2.

I think Desharnais will draw back in because his game is better suited to the Panthers then it was to Dallas.

 

[K1984]

I feel like in a lot of ways the Panthers are a more advanced version of the two teams we just faced.

Their forecheck is their calling card, but I feel like they don't have a lot of other levers to pull on in their game if that doesn't end up being effective for them. Saw some comments about getting Vinny back in to get some more size to help mitigate the forecheck, but I think that's the wrong way to go. He's apt to throw pucks away when he's pressured (like he did on two critical GA's in the Stars series). Broberg is much better at gaining possession and making a play, which we will need. Their hitting becomes irrelevant if we are the ones with the puck the whole time and they are blowing coverages to make contact. That's the outcome we have to curate, not the big guy absorbing checks, but concurrently not doing anything with possessions.

Like always, if this team has 4 lines moving their feet and are making assertive plays to the net we will win.

 

[snag]

So McDavid's goal should still be eligible for GOTY, right?

 

[Canovin]

I keep reading Florida is a physical team. Who are the physical guys?

Tkachuk
Cousins
Bennett

Who else?

 

[TopShelfGloveSide]

I keep reading Florida is a physical team. Who are the physical guys?

Tkachuk
Cousins
Bennett

Who else?

Their whole team hits.

 

[WaitingForUser]

Boo this man! heh

Been a funny ride. Tickets for game 4, demand fell through the floor and could be had for 240bucks. People figured Stars had it. Hockey is so strange with swings you just never know. For game 6 prices were back up there way high. Same tickets behind Skinner were twice the price in game 6 than they were game 4.

To all the young fans here that hadn't been on a SC ride this Molsons is for you. I've been to SC Heaven twice already, people deserve to have the experience that haven't had it yet.

Any virgins out there, lose the cherry.

Just going but what I saw on here earlier regarding the tickets. If anyone is that worried I would suggest double checking I do t want to be in anyway responsible for someone missing out on tickets

 

[Aerrol]

I legitimately do not understand the Panthers hype. They hit a lot, but they're worse than Dallas in every way except defensive depth. I voted Oilers in 5 - we always have at least one "learning moment" game in a series, but I think after taking out the Stars this series is easy in comparison. We just won the 'real SCF' baby.

 

[LTIR]

I think a big part of the Panthers success is that they seem to “swarm” in most things…forecheck, cycling, and Ozone pressure generally.

Might take a game or 2 but I'm sure Knob will find a way to counter it.

I legitimately do not understand the Panthers hype. They hit a lot, but they're worse than Dallas in every way except defensive depth. I voted Oilers in 5 - we always have at least one "learning moment" game in a series, but I think after taking out the Stars this series is easy in comparison. We just won the 'real SCF' baby.

Teams have been saying the same about us when they look at our goalie , bottom 6 and defense

 

[TopShelfGloveSide]

I don’t understand this Florida had a harder path to the cup non sense either.

 

[Aerrol]

Might take a game or 2 but I'm sure Knob will find a way to counter it.


Teams have been saying the same about us when they look at our goalie , bottom 6 and defense

I'm not sure if you're agreeing with me or not here - but the key difference is I actually watch the games instead of reading a leafs writer post once a week.

That NYR-Panthers series was awful hockey in comparison.

 

[LTIR]

Their whole team hits.

We have experience going against hitting teams and beating them at their game.

I'm not sure if you're agreeing with me or not here - but the key difference is I actually watch the games instead of reading a leafs writer post once a week.

That NYR-Panthers series was awful hockey in comparison.

Just making a point that Florida is here for a reason.. getting past NYR goaltending and that team in general was very impressive. We are clear underdogs for a reason and I like it that way.

Steal one in FLA and go from there.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

We're a good road team, I'm kinda happy to be starting on the road.

 

[joestevens29]

I don’t understand this Florida had a harder path to the cup non sense either.

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LA gets no credit for making the playoffs. Vancouver is just everyone was hurt apparently and the refs gifted us that series.

Was really happy to beat Dallas as no one was saying they were going to be an easy out. Although now that we beat them I'm sure there will be some stories to discredit our victory against them.

 

[NotASheep]

"To earn the status of getting your name engraved on the Stanley Cup, players must play at least 40 games through the regular season or one in the Cup final"

And that why I want him to play 1 game

 

[JeffSkinner53]

Oilers beat the Canucks with Boeser, Hughes, Miller, Pettersson, and a goalie playing way above his level. The canucks were a good team idk why people claim they arent

 

[K1984]

LA gets no credit for making the playoffs. Vancouver is just everyone was hurt apparently and the refs gifted us that series.

Was really happy to beat Dallas as no one was saying they were going to be an easy out. Although now that we beat them I'm sure there will be some stories to discredit our victory against them.

Already saw "Dallas outscored the Oilers 5v5 in the series, they got McDavid'd."

Of all the various (laughably dumb) ways that stupid people try and explain away Oiler success, my two favourites are probably pretending that special teams doesn't matter and discounting wins because "they have McDavid so not fair." It's the completely idiotic "one guy" narrative that the Flames trotted out to make themselves feel better about getting dominated.

 

[OilerTyler]

LA gets no credit for making the playoffs. Vancouver is just everyone was hurt apparently and the refs gifted us that series.

Was really happy to beat Dallas as no one was saying they were going to be an easy out. Although now that we beat them I'm sure there will be some stories to discredit our victory against them.

The narrative has already changed from Dallas being a juggernaut to them being an old, tired team that was burnt out from playing two good teams already.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

Oilers beat the Canucks with Boeser, Hughes, Miller, Pettersson, and a goalie playing way above his level. The canucks were a good team idk why people claim they arent

Because supposedly the Pacific division is super weak.

 

[K1984]

And that why I want him to play 1 game

Dressing a guy for the sole reason of getting his name on the Cup is stupid for about a half dozen reasons at least.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

Dressing a guy for the sole reason of getting his name on the Cup is stupid for about a half dozen reasons at least.

Yeah, it's not the sole reason, it's the main one.

 

[ChaoticOrange]

I think Desharnais will draw back in because his game is better suited to the Panthers then it was to Dallas.

The Panthers forecheck is absolutely ferocious and Vinny struggles a bit with speed.

I think it's Broberg's spot for the foreseeable future until he has a bad game or the PK becomes human.

 

[jesusbuiltmyhotrod]

I don’t understand this Florida had a harder path to the cup non sense either.

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Because it is nonsense. U will see the talking heads discredit the oilers non stop this week. The panthers are good but no better the. Dallas imo. They have not faced the top end skill the oil have. They led the league in penalties… good luck with the oilers pp