Panthers-Oilers Game 2 takeaways, early look at Game 3

Ryan S. Clark

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Ryan S. Clark

NHL reporterRyan S. Clark is an NHL reporter for ESPN.

Kristen Shilton

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Kristen Shilton

ESPN NHL reporterKristen Shilton is a national NHL reporter for ESPN.Jun 10, 2024, 11:45 PM ET

Following the Florida Panthers’ 3-0 win over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, many believed the Oilers would come out strong to start Game 2. They did, with Mattias Ekholm scoring the club’s first goal of the Final.

After that, it was all Panthers.

Evan Rodrigues scored two goals, Florida limited Edmonton to 19 shots on goal, and the Oilers’ vaunted power play was once again held scoreless.

Here’s what stood out in Florida’s second straight victory, key players to watch in Game 3 on Thursday (8 p.m. ET, ABC and ESPN+) and the biggest lingering questions.

Panthers grade: A

Florida put on a clinic of sorts in Game 2. Edmonton managed just seven shots on net through the first two periods — compared to 22 off the Panthers’ sticks — and Florida’s top units were rolling over the Oilers’ best players.

The Panthers were smothering from the start, and stopped Edmonton from gaining any significant traction even after the Oilers opened scoring with a 4-on-4 goal. Florida made Edmonton pay for every mistake — like Evan Bouchard’s awful turnover that led to Evan Rodrigues’ game-winning goal. The Oilers never seemed to recover from that snafu and the harder they tried to compensate, the more Florida settled into their own groove and dictated pace in the game.

Edmonton’s frustration boiled over by the end, and Florida kept pressing until the final buzzer. It’s hard to fathom what, exactly, can stop the Panthers now.

“I’m really embracing the moment right now.” 👏

Evan Rodrigues talked about his role on the Panthers after his 2-goal night to put Florida ahead 2-0 in the Stanley Cup Final. pic.twitter.com/qo7PHKE9bS

— ESPN (@espn) June 11, 2024

Oilers grade: D

There wasn’t just one issue, there were several for the Oilers.

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Source link : https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/40324399/nhl-playoffs-2024-stanley-cup-final-panthers-oilers-game-2-grades

Author : Ryan S. Clark and Kristen Shilton

Publish date : 2024-06-11 04:55:10

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