Florida vs Edmonton, The Rematch, has already been a classic! What about tonight’s Game 2?
The Maven says it’s the last chance for the Cats to win The Cup. It is a MUST all the way for the visitors.
Solon predicts that Florida will win Game 2 in nail-biting fashion and send the series back to Florida tied 1-1.
Here are some observations based on Game 1:
HOME ICE ADVANTAGE: Not only did Edmonton get to play game one on home ice this time around, they won. Home ice isn’t only about the fans and the atmosphere being in your favor. There is a legitimate benefit in terms of the rulebook. The home team gets the last line change. In other words, Kris Knoblauch gets first dibs on line matches. Ultimately having the option to see which skaters your opponent puts out first could be a major strategic advantage, especially with the deadly duo of 97 and 29 on your side.
MCDAVID AND DRAISAITL: Even with two Selke Trophy Finalists - an accolade awarded to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game - on the Panthers’ roster in Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart, McDavid and Draisaitl continue their postseason dominance recording two points each, in Game 1. I mean, just look at McDavid before, during, and after the game. Strictly business, he knows the job is far from finished.
STUART SKINNER: Skinner has gone 7-1 in his last eight playoff starts, and rose to the occasion during Game 1. In what was an evenly played goalie battle, come games end, Skinner outdueled Sergei Bobrovsky. Now he goes into Game 2, on home ice, with confidence having gotten that first win out of the way.
Paul Maurice is in his fourth career Stanley Cup Final, third consecutive, and every time his team has lost Game 1 of the Final, they go on to also lose Game 2, and eventually the series.
Kris Knoblauch is only in his second season as an NHL Head Coach, and that is not to discredit him from what he’s accomplished because this is also Knoblauch’s second Cup Final in as many years.
While I have the Oilers winning in six, I believe that Maurice’s 1,900+ career games worth of experience and having been in this position before will be a positive boost for the Panthers.