Ryan S. Clark
Close
Ryan S. Clark
NHL reporterRyan S. Clark is an NHL reporter for ESPN.
Kristen Shilton
Close
Kristen Shilton
ESPN NHL reporterKristen Shilton is a national NHL reporter for ESPN.Jun 2, 2024, 11:05 PM ET
From a regular-season batch of 32 teams, to a Stanley Cup playoff field of 16, and now down to two, the NHL’s champion is close to being crowned for 2024.
A year after losing in the Stanley Cup Final to the Vegas Golden Knights, the Florida Panthers are out to finish their story and raise the Cup for the first time in franchise history.
For the Edmonton Oilers, a Stanley Cup would silence all the “yeah, but” conversations regarding superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, and etch their names among the franchise greats from five prior Cup teams.
Game 1 is Saturday, June 8 (8 p.m. ET, ABC and ESPN+). Here’s everything you need to know about both teams, from key players to watch, goaltender confidence ratings, and the top trends for each team coming out of the conference finals.
Stanley Cup wins: None
How they got here: Defeated Lightning 4-1, Bruins 4-2, Rangers 4-2
Goalie confidence rating: 9 out of 10
Sergei Bobrovsky has been rock solid for the Panthers throughout these playoffs. Granted, the team’s excellent defensive play has aided Bobrovsky. But the veteran’s steady stream of quality performances gives Florida undeniable confidence Bobrovsky will be there to make the big saves.
Editor’s Picks
2 Related
He has earned a 12-5 record in the postseason, with a .908 save percentage and 2.20 goals-against average. The only playoff starter who has averaged fewer goals against per game than Bobrovsky was Boston’s Jeremy Swayman (and Bobrovsky ultimately won that battle when Florida sent the Bruins packing in their second-round series).
Bobrovsky had to be the Panthers’ hero during last season’s run to the Cup Final, and it wore him down in the end. This year’s workload has been more manageable, and that should set Bobrovsky up for continued success.
What the…
Source link : https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/40261778/nhl-playoffs-2024-stanley-cup-final-panthers-oilers-matchups-players-goalies-schedule
Author : Ryan S. Clark and Kristen Shilton
Publish date : 2024-06-03 03:58:11
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
