Through the first three rounds, the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs were a showcase for the Edmonton Oilers and their superstar-laden offense.
The final round of the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs has not gone so well. Down 0-3 to the Florida Panthers, Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl & Co. need a win in Game 4 (8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN+) to avoid the sweep.
Whether through an altered lineup, tactics or something else entirely, something needs to change to avoid that ignominious outcome. Our reporters and analysts are here to describe how the Oilers can win Game 4 — and offer their thoughts on whether they will.
What has been the biggest reason for the Oilers’ lack of scoring?
Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporter: It appears to be a mix of the Panthers’ system and their personnel. In the regular season, the Panthers allowed the fewest scoring chances per 60 minutes in 5-on-5 play, were fourth in fewest high-danger goals allowed at 5-on-5 and seventh in fewest high-danger chances per 60 at 5-on-5.
They’ve found a way to carry that over to the playoffs, suppressing other high-powered teams such as the New York Rangers. As for the personnel, everything they do from a forward standpoint starts with two-time Selke Trophy winner Aleksander Barkov. They also have excellent shutdown defensemen led by Gustav Forsling, plus a two-time Vezina Trophy winner in Sergei Bobrovsky.
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Arda Öcal, NHL broadcaster: The obvious answer is “the top five Oilers playoff scorers have not scored this series,” but Connor McDavid has still factored in on at least half of every Oilers goal this postseason, including this Stanley Cup Final (the only other player that did that in the playoffs for a team that made the Final was someone who wore No. 99).
The Panthers deserve a lot of credit for shutting them all down — particularly Barkov, who has been stellar; Forsling, who has been the best defenseman this postseason; and Bobrovsky, who has showed up for pretty much every high-danger moment the Oilers…
Source link : https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/40350989/nhl-playoffs-2024-stanley-cup-final-oilers-panthers-game-4-predictions
Author : ESPN staff
Publish date : 2024-06-15 13:15:48
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