The Rats edge the Oilers in a Huge Game 2 Win; Analysis & Predictions for Game 3
Former Boston University Terrier, Evan Rodrigues, leads the Panthers with two game-clinching goals in the final frame to lead his team to a 4–1 victory, and a commanding 2–0 series lead over the Edmonton Oilers. Rodrigues, no stranger to playing with and against the top lines in NHL, has a unique playstyle that has allowed him to flourish. On his fourth team in five seasons, Rodrigues has found his home in Florida after signing a 4-year, 12 million contract in the summer of 2023. An absolute steal by General Manager Bill Zito and the Panthers organization.
Mattias Ekholm shocked the crowd after beating Sergei Bobrovsky down low on a 2–1 with Leon Draisaitl at 11:17 of the opening period, which also happened to be the first shot of the game for the Oilers. The Panthers got too aggressive on their pinch during 4-on-4 play, which allowed McDavid to make a quick pass up to Ekholm and he took care of the rest.
As we saw in Game 1, the Panthers didn’t let their foot off the gas pedal to start the second period as they continued to dictate the pace of the game. Niko Mikkola, in the matter of 10 seconds, gave Panthers fans two reasons to jump out of their seats after his attempt to go D-to-D in the defensive end gave Bobrovsky a wake-up call as it ended up deflecting off his pad. Mikkola was then able to strike at 9:34 after beating Stuart Skinner low glove-side off of a beautiful one-timer coming from a drop pass that Anton Lundell teed up for him. The Edmonton Oilers were held to a laughable seven shots through the first two periods of play; the fewest shots after two periods of a Stanley Cup Final game in NHL history.
Panthers’ heroics in the third period continued as they were able to put together three goals to cap off a huge win. The fans in Sunrise, Florida erupted after seeing Evan Bouchard put together a gift basket for Evan Rodrigues to rip a shot into the short-side corner to break the tie 3:11 into the third period. The Panthers later break the slump on their powerplay when Rodrigues pots his second of the game and third of the Stanley Cup Finals off a beautiful redirection that was fed by Anton Lundell on the entry for their powerplay. This goal led to the streak of the Oilers’ penalty kill to come to an end at 34 consecutive kills — five shy of the postseason record set by the Anaheim Ducks in 2006.
Aaron Ekblad sealed the victory for the Panthers with an empty net goal at 17:32 of the third after Sam Bennett’s board play continued to impress as he poked the puck away from Evander Kane who attempted to keep the blue-line for the Oilers offense. The Panthers were outshot 12–7 in the third period, but their lockdown defense continued to frustrate the stars of the Oilers.
The storyline surrounding the stars of Edmonton putting up ridiculous TOI from Game 1 continues to Game 2 with a slight twist. Connor McDavid clawed his way to an assist on Ekholm’s goal in the first period of Game 2 where he saw 25:59 of ice time, second on the team to Evan Bouchard who played 30:40 despite being penalized twice due to Darnell Nurse’s exit of the game after being hit into the boards by Evan Rodrigues in the first period.
Tempers flare
With Game 2, we saw numerous instances of the Panthers and Oilers going at each other’s necks. The brawls were initiated just 9:21 into the first period when Warren Foegele’s knee collided with Eetu Luostarinen, leading to a 5 minute major and game misconduct. The penalty has raised some question marks on the intent of the play and severity of what Foegele received as punishment, but Luostarinen would later return to the bench and finish the remainder of the game.
Shortly after the game had finished, the drama continued to transpire as Evan Bouchard and Aaron Ekblad found themselves in a wrestling match. Aaron Ekblad got the edge when he decided to immediately throw Bouchard into a headlock. No penalty was awarded to the Panthers.
Game 3 Implications
The Oilers could be in danger as they arrive home to Game 3, trying to avoid falling behind a near impossible deficit. The Oilers need to find a way around the defensive structure of the Florida Panthers…and quickly. 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.
The Oilers and Panthers continue to strike at different times this postseason. Edmonton feeds off of aggressive starts, outscoring their opponents 24–11 through the playoffs after Game 2. The Panthers continue to dominate late in games after extending their record to 5–1 this postseason when tied after two periods while outscoring opponents 27–10 throughout the 2024 postseason. In contrast, the Edmonton Oilers can’t seem to close out a game where their record tied after two periods falls to 0–5. The Panthers became one of only five teams since the 1943–1944 season to record one goal (or fewer) against in the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final; they joined the 2008 Detroit Red Wings, 2003 New Jersey Devils, 1957 Montreal Canadiens, and the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs. The last time the Oilers only registered one goal over a two-game period? February of 2022.
The Edmonton Oilers have played very well at home in the 2024 playoffs, having a record of 6–3. In addition, teams on home ice are able to get the last change in — meaning we could see instances where Knoblauch puts together the top forwards in McDavid, Draisaitl, and Hyman in attempt to keep the pressure on against the third and fourth line of the Florida Panthers. The Oilers must dictate the pace of play early and play a whole 60 minute game to beat the best road team in the postseason.
Game 3 Lineup Changes
Head Coach of the Oilers, Knoblauch, commented on a few of the Oilers’ updates surrounding the lineup for the homestand of the Stanley Cup Finals. Knoblauch shared that Corey Perry will be inserted into the lineup after serving as a health scratch in Game 2. Darnell Nurse is set to play after taking an awkward hit in the corner from Rodrigues, where he evidently left in the first period of Game 2. Evander Kane remains as he continues to battle through a sports hernia, and other disclosed injuries.
Paul Maurice shared that Aleksander Barkov will play after missing the last nine minutes of Game 2 as the captain was on the receiving end of a high hit delivered by Leon Draisaitl in the third period of Game 2. Vladimir Tarasenko will also play after not practicing on Wednesday in Florida.
Game 3 Predictions
Casey Ditzel: Edmonton 5–2 Florida
Jorge Bannister: Edmonton 4–3 Florida (OT)
Khalin Kapoor: Edmonton 5–4 Florida
Jenna Bonomo: Edmonton 3–1 Florida
Matt Leonardo: Edmonton 4–2 Florida
Jake Swanson: Edmonton 4–3 Florida
Nick Kozsan: Edmonton 4–2 Florida
