Oilers Deconstruct Panther’s Defensive Wall in Blowout Win
After scoring a measly four goals across the first three games of the Stanley Cup Final, the Edmonton Oilers exploded in Game 4 where they came out to win by the largest margin when facing elimination in Stanley Cup Final history — keeping their historic season alive. The Oilers put together an absolute clinic right from puck drop to ensure that the Stanley Cup wasn’t going to see the light of day on home ice. All, but three players (Philip Broberg, Cody Ceci, and Derek Ryan) on the Oilers roster registered at least one point in their Game 4 victory.
Conn Smythe favorite, Sergei Bobrovsky, found himself being pulled after allowing five goals on sixteen shots, not even halfway through the game. Backup goalie, Anthony Stolarz, was given the chance to see his first playoff experience of his career after being drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in 2012. Paul Maurice ultimately made the decision in order to stir up the momentum to put it back into the Panther’s favor. Evidently, the outcome of the game shows it didn’t sway that way. Prior to Game 4, the Panthers never lost by more than four goals in the 2023–2024 regular season or playoffs. Will they be able to bounce back and put their foot back on the pedal?
It was a dominant win-or-go home game as they put together magic on the offensive end of the ice. Led by their captain, Connor McDavid, who racked up 4 points in a landslide victory. McDavid has become the record-holder after passing Wayne Gretzky for the most assists in a single postseason as his total sits at 32 (and counting). Along with McDavid breaking Gretzky’s record that was set in the 1988 postseason, he was able to get his first Stanley Cup Final goal of his career after he beat Bobrovsky short-side on a short breakaway with Verhaeghe tailing his back. Connor McDavid now sits at 38 playoff points and is 9 points away from tying Wayne Gretzky’s record in the 1985 postseason.
Stuart Skinner has come up huge when he has needed to throughout this postseason — including a few huge stops in game 4. He managed to hold the Panthers to just one goal while facing 33 shots. Although the score didn’t necessarily reflect how the Florida Panthers played, the Cats were attacking from all angles in the first and third period — where they combined for 29 shots.
As we’ve continued to emphasize, head coach Kris Knoblauch is not afraid to make changes to the lineup as he sees fit. Prior to Game 4, he made adjustments to the top two lines that saw Warren Foegele moving up to the top line with Zach Hyman and Connor McDavid. The second line featured Leon Draisaitl with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Dylan Holloway. Not only the top two lines, but every single line throughout the lineup was buzzing right from the start of the game.
What’s even more impressive than the Oilers’ Game 4 win to keep their hopes alive is their regular season record(s) after going on a three-game skid under their head coach Kris Knoblauch. It truly is something to keep an eye on as the Oilers have proven they’re a resilient group. The Florida Panthers now hold a record of 3–3 this postseason in games when they can eliminate their opponent. In contrast, the Oilers have a record of 2–0 when they’re facing elimination.
Oilers record(s) after losing three straight games — Regular Season
November 24th — December 12th: 8–0–0
December 21st — January 27th: 16–0–0
February 26th — March 5th: 5–0–0
Random, but an Actual Stat
On May 18, 2012: Kobe Bryant wore a Wayne Gretzky Oilers jersey to the Lakers’ Conference Final game, where they went on to win Game 3 with a total of 99 points.
Just over 12 years later on June 14, 2024: Warren Foegele wore a Kobe Bryant t-shirt to Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final — the Edmonton Oilers ended up winning the game with 8 goals.
Game 5 Implications
The Oilers seem to be in full-flight as they come off a huge victory on home ice to keep themselves alive in the Stanley Cup Final. The stars of Edmonton have arrived after being held to minimal space and time in Games 1–3. Only four teams in NHL history have ever gone on to win four straight after falling 3–0 in a playoff series: Toronto Maple Leafs in 1942, New York Islanders in 1975, Philadelphia Flyers in 2010, and the Los Angeles Kings in 2014. It has only happened once in the Stanley Cup Final — Toronto Maple Leafs back in 1942. Teams that lead the series 3–0 in the Stanley Cup Final are 27–1.
To continue their success from Game 4, I believe it is absolutely vital that the Oilers keep their current lines intact. Although Knoblauch likes to tweak the lines and scratch guys if needed, after winning by a landslide, it just seems unnecessary to change what they had. Getting pucks on Bobrovsky early and often after he got pulled in Game 4 is a no brainer — it was one of the keys to their game plan. The Oilers were rolling four lines all game long and it paid dividends — every single player seemed like they were flying in Game 4. Dylan Holloway, especially, stepped up to be a major factor slotting in perfectly on the second line. I wouldn’t be surprised if his time-on-ice continues to ascend.
The Panthers will get another crack at hoisting their first Stanley Cup in franchise history on home ice. Panthers have the opportunity to bring the Stanley Cup back to Florida for the third time in five seasons (after Tampa Bay Lightning went back-to-back in 2020 and 2021). Matthew Tkachuk seems confident that his team will get it done in Game 5, stating “we have a chance to capture the biggest goal of our lives tonight, so we’re going to go do that.” The last time that Sergei Bobrovsky was removed from his net in the postseason was Game 2 of the 2023 Stanley Cup Final — where he let in four goals on 13 shots. In the following game back on home ice, Bobrovsky was able to reset and post a .926 save percentage in a 3–2 overtime victory over the Golden Knights where they cut the series deficit to 2–1. Can he maintain his form after losing his net in Game 4?
Game 5 Lineup Changes
TBD
Game 5 Predictions from the 5th Liners Team:
Casey Ditzel: Florida 3 — 2(OT) Edmonton: Florida wins the cup
Jorge Bannister: Florida 4 — 3 Edmonton: Florida wins the cup
Khalin Kapoor: Florida 5 — 2 Edmonton: Florida wins the cup
Jenna Bonomo: Florida 3 — 1 Edmonton: Florida wins the cup
Matt Leonardo: Florida 3 — 2 Edmonton: Florida wins the cup
Jake Swanson: Florida 2 — 1 Edmonton: Florida wins the cup
Nick Kozsan: Edmonton 4 — 3(OT) Florida
