Defending champions Florida Panthers are not on ropes, but they are well aware that when they visit Admonton Oilrs for Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final on Friday, they need a counter-punch.
Florida appeared in the hand of the series opener when he took a 3–1 lead over the second period, and even when it was a gol in the third period. However, the panthers obtained the treatment of the entire oellers when the lead disappeared and 4-3 overtime losses on Wednesday.
And now the pressure is on Florida.
“We have said that this is a bunch, that is ‘against us against the world’ mentality,” said Panthers Matthew Tachuk. “But you really feel it, especially going down in a series … in a hostile environment and we feel that when we are in our best. So hope we can use it for our benefit.”
The result ended the panthers’ 29 consecutive playoff victories when he was leading after the second period. For many of those victories, it was Florida that was able to keep the hammer down and close the conflict.
Instead, the olers excluded visitors 14–2 in the third period and 10–6 in additional time, the second goal of the Leon dress up overtime at 19:29 of the overtime.
This was a pulsed way to start this rematch of last year’s final.
“They are better, we are better. It’s going to be a great series,” said Takachuk.
A savings grace for panthers is their experience and ability to handle the ups and downs of a playoff chain. He wiped out the deficiency of 2–0 series to defeat Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round.
“We learn more than adversity, as much as we win,” said Carter Verheghe further. “I think every time you lose the game or go through a chain, where you are down, or lose in the cup final a few years ago, you learn a lot. It is just clinging to it and mentally strong.”
The Olers, who never led the final meeting with Florida in the last year’s final, which was an thrilling seven-game chain, knowing that they have the upper hand, but also know about the importance of a follow-up victory in Game 2.
After all, the home-i-iDwantage makes only a difference if you win those games at home, and olers have a 7–1 playoff mark before their frenzied loyalty.
“They are going to flush it,” Defenseman Matias Ekhom said, who purified the third-term game. “They are going to return better for Game 2. … We know that we have won three more to go, and this is going to be a fight.”
The victory not only gives Edmonton a record of 4–0 in overtime clashes in this spring, but it was the return of the playoff and the fourth third period of the seventh when it is back at any point. As much as the oileers would like to win each game with a wire-to-vair lead, they never feel out of a game when they marks.
Then, when your team claims a dynamic aggressive pair of Connor McDwid (who achieved two assistance and established the winning target) and dressital, a return is always possible.
“There is always the same kind of kind in our room,” said Defenseman Darnell Nurse. “People focus on work at hand. I think it comes from the maturity of the group.”
He showed it again in one night, Draisaitl netted his third overtime winner and 50th career playoff tally in this year’s playoffs.
“It is difficult to describe,” Draisaitl said. “You are clearly closed, and especially on power play, you are trying to finish it. … It’s a special feeling. It’s very good for now, but we are ready to look forward and get ready for game 2.”
-Bield level media
