Edmonton played well despite losing Game 1, but still may make changes to lineup

The Florida Panthers know they need to be better in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final.

On Saturday, Florida picked up a 3-0 victory in Game 1 against the Edmonton Oilers, but the Cats were far from at their best.

Edmonton carried play for much of the first two periods, outshooting the Panthers 25-12 and controlling the majority of the even strength puck possession.

Once the third period began, the Panthers got back to playing a more recognizable brand of hockey.

After allowing the Oilers 13 high danger shots during the first 40 minutes, Florida gave up exactly zero.

Overall, there were things for both teams to build on from Game 1, and things each squad will look to be better at.

Speaking between games on the off day, Edmonton Head Coach Kris Knoblauch indicated the team could have a different look in Game 2.

He paired Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl on the same line during the later stages of Game 1, and while that may not be a starting point on Monday night, it’s an option Knoblauch won’t hesitate to go to if the situation calls for it.

“I think right now with the amount of games that I've been behind the bench, I think I have a good understanding of when they're going to be going out together. In the third period we hadn’t scored yet and we're looking to get that first one, and no better way to get that first one then to put those players together because they've come up big so many times. It didn't work out the other night, but maybe in Game 2.”

Edmonton may also make some changes on their defensive pairings.

The defensive pairing of Darnell Nurse and Cody Ceci has struggled at times during the playoffs and were on the ice for two of Florida’s goals during Game 1.

“We're always balancing on what's best for those two players, but also what's best for all six of our defenseman,” said Knoblauch. “As a coaching staff, we always have to make those decisions, it’s not easy, and sometimes you have to give a little to get a lot out of something else. As for the matchup next game, we'll have to make a decision.”

As for Florida, Head Coach Paul Maurice isn’t expected to make any changes to the lineup following the Panthers win in Game 1.

Here are Florida’s projected lines and pairings for Game 2 against Edmonton:

Carter Verhaeghe – Sasha Barkov – Sam Reinhart

Evan Rodrigues – Sam Bennett – Matthew Tkachuk

Eetu Luostarinen – Anton Lundell – Vladimir Tarasenko

Kyle Okposo – Kevin Stenlund – Steven Lorentz

Gus Forsling – Aaron Ekblad

Niko Mikkola – Brandon Montour

Oliver Ekman-Larsson – Dmitry Kulikov

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