The Edmonton Oilers did everything they could to eliminate Sergei Bobrovsky in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, but the Florida Panthers netminder put on a show in front of a sold-out Amerant Bank Arena during a 3-0 victory on Saturday night.
Bobrovsky stopped all 32 shots he faced, frustrating an Oilers team that averaged 3.5 goals per game en route to the Cup Final.
Despite Edmonton’s best efforts, including 32 scoring chances and three power play chances, it didn’t end with pucks getting behind Bobrovsky. The Panthers, meanwhile, took advantage of their opportunities and cashed in while exposing the Oilers’ defensive shortcomings.
It didn’t take long for Edmonton’s defensive issues to manifest. Carter Verhaeghe opened the scoring 3:59 into the game after completing a perfectly executed Panthers transition from his own hand. Due to a lack of communication, Oilers defenseman Cody Ceci left center ice to defend Aleksander Barkov, allowing Verhaeghe to enter the zone unnoticed while Mattias Ekholm was slow to check back.
One of the Panthers’ strengths is their forechecking, something that has allowed Florida to create opportunities against the Oilers’ blue line.
This was on display during the Panthers’ second goal. Sam Bennett put the puck in the corner, beat Ceci and passed it up front to a streaking Evan Rodrigues to make it 2-0 early in the second period.
Eetu Luostarinen added the empty net insurance amount to seal the match for the Panthers.
The defensive duo of Ceci and Darnell Nurse struggled in Game 1. The Oilers have been outscored 12-5 this postseason when they are on the ice together, including both Panthers goals.
The Panthers were playing with fire a bit. They gave three chances to the Oilers’ power play, which had been successful 37.3% of the time before Game 1. But Bobrovsky remained a brick wall and Florida’s penalty helped keep Edmonton from getting into the game.
Oil companies have no answers for Bobrovsky
There will be adjustments for Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch to make ahead of Monday’s Game 2, but the biggest one will be trying to find Bobrovsky’s weak spots after a 32-save night.
The Oilers found holes to help create their 18 high-risk scoring opportunities. Adam Henrique and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins each had breakaways in the first period but couldn’t beat Bobrovsky.
Offensively, it wasn’t a bad game for the Oilers. For two periods they dominated possession and scored 5-on-5. In the third period, while trying to create something to get on the board, they struggled, managing just seven shots in the final twenty minutes.
Bobrovsky was just too good in Game 1, and a win in the opening game of the Stanley Cup Final historically bodes well for the winning team.
According to the NHL, teams that win Game 1 in the best-of-seven Cup finals are 64-20 (.762) all-time and 51-10 (.836) when coming out on top of the first game while at home.
The Panthers now take a 1-0 lead in Monday’s series in Game 2 at Amerant Bank Arena.
2024 Stanley Cup Final Schedule (Panthers Lead Series 1-0)
Game 1: Panthers 3, Oilers 0
Game 2: Oilers at Panthers | Monday, June 10, 8:00 PM ET (ABC, ESPN+)
Game 3: Panthers at Oilers | Thursday, June 13, 8:00 PM ET (ABC, ESPN+)
Game 4: Panthers at Oilers | Saturday, June 15, 8:00 PM ET (ABC, ESPN+)
*Game 5: Oilers at Panthers | Tuesday, June 18, 8:00 PM ET (ABC, ESPN+)
*Game 6: Panthers at Oilers | Friday, June 21, 8:00 PM ET (ABC, ESPN+)
*Game 7: Oilers at Panthers | Monday, June 24, 8:00 PM ET (ABC, ESPN+)
(*If necessary)
