The anticipation has been building up all week as both teams won their Conference Final matchup last weekend. But Saturday is finally here. Game 1 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final is tonight.
The Florida Panthers are making their second consecutive appearance in the Cup Final, having been defeated last season by the Vegas Golden Knights. This season, with a seemingly healthier roster, they look to win the first Stanley Cup in franchise history.
For the Edmonton Oilers, this is their first appearance in the Stanley Cup Final since 2006. After being defeated by the eventual Stanley Cup Champions in each of the last two postseasons, they look to avoid making it a third consecutive season and win the sixth Cup in franchise history.
Florida Panthers
The Panthers are a force to be reckoned with. They have a deep roster full of productivity, near the top of the league in total offence. But most impressively, the Panthers are the best defensive team in the league. Through the regular season, they allowed the fewest goals against. Just 198.
One of the biggest aspects of their game is on the physical side. With players like Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett, Ryan Lomberg, and Nick Cousins leading the way, the Panthers know how to play hard and throw their weight around. They also know how to toe the line with this, leading to some controversial plays that could be under the spotlight on the biggest stage in the NHL.
Edmonton Oilers
Which team will we get? Sometimes, the Oilers are capable of winning 16 consecutive games. And others they can barely muster a shot on net. There is no room for error in the Stanley Cup Final and they need to make sure every single person on the roster from top to bottom is ready for action by opening puck drop.
To counter the league’s best defence is one of the most potent offensive teams. Led by the top four point scorers thus far in the postseason, the Edmonton Oilers will be tasked with trying to solve the best defence from the regular season and third best in the playoffs. Connor McDavid (31 points), Leon Draisaitl (28), Evan Bouchard (27), and (tied for fourth with 20) Ryan Nugent-Hopkins all have more points than Florida’s top point producer, Tkachuk with 19.
The advantage is Edmonton’s in star power and top end scoring, but will they be able to capitalize in a meaningful way?
Series overview
For the Panthers, they are going to start this series playing as physical as they possibly can. On home ice, they need to throw a few huge hits in the first minute of the game to set the tone. Get the fans roaring. And get the Oilers on the defensive.
The effect of that potential early momentum swing will be a major factor in the direction of the series. Edmonton will need to respond in kind and not get shoved around. This may be difficult as they are coming off of a less physically involved series against the Dallas Stars.
Former Calgary Flames Tkachuk and Bennett are no strangers to the Oilers, having been a part of the teams a few seasons ago that brought the Battle of Alberta back to life. Tkachuk specifically is an elite game manager. His ability to create momentum swings and change the tide of the game is unmatched. Finding a way to not let his energy build and pass off onto the rest of his teammates will be crucial for Edmonton’s momentum in this series.
One possible outcome from the physical play of the Panthers is a lot of time on special teams. This is where Edmonton’s game changer comes into play. In the playoffs, the Oilers have the best power play in the league (37.3%) and the best penalty kill (93.9%). A combined special teams score of 131.2%. The Panthers have a 23.3% power play but they do have the second best penalty kill in the playoffs, sitting at 88.2%.
This is the area Edmonton needs to find a way to utilize and separate themselves from the opposition. It has been the difference maker in every other series thus far as the even strength game is often fairly close. Special teams is where they win. If Florida is going to play aggressive and physical, the Oilers players will need to keep their feet moving and stay level headed to draw penalties whenever they can.
Aleksander Barkov is going to be leaned on heavily by the Panthers to counter the Oilers top scorers. But now that they are spread out amongst a couple lines, Florida will have to choose who Barkov can cover. This season’s Selke Trophy winner is one of a few forwards in the league defensively strong enough to shut down McDavid or Draisaitl, but he won’t be able to attend to both of them.
The goaltending duel will be a vital one. Stuart Skinner was able to match Jake Oettinger in the last series, but how will he fare against Sergei Bobrovsky?
Bobrovsky has had one of the best seasons of his career, and certainly his best as a member of the Florida Panthers. While Skinner, on the other hand, has struggled at times through the playoffs but was excellent in this most recent series.
This series has the potential to be one of the best Stanley Cup Finals in recent years. And as Oilers fans, the chance to watch McDavid and Draisaitl battle for their first Stanley Cup is extremely exciting!
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
