The Oilers are beginning to figure out the Panthers, something the Rangers had a hard time with.
As the Rangers look from afar at what-might-have-been, the Oilers now are showing how to tame wild-skating Cats.
We saw that last night in Sunrise as the "Sure-Thing" Cup-winning Cats contest turned into a 5-3 romp for the Visiting Oil Cans.
This looks to The Maven like a seven-game series that's now in the works and I say yay to that. Each of the two Oilers wins carried a lesson for the Blueshirts.
PLAYOFF POWER PLAY: The Blueshirts couldn't find their power play mojo against the Canes. Edmonton's PP has turned the Final series upside-down. While Breadman Panarin went Playoff AWOL, Connor McDavid is showing why the man advantage IS an advantage.
THE FORECHECK EFFECT: The Panthers calling card forecheck has been removed from the deck. The Cats have faced a tougher forecheck in the last two games than they had during the entire Rangers series. The New York lesson: Start teaching the forecheck at training camp.
PHYSICALITY: The Oilers are not allowing the Cats to out-tough them; the Rangers sure seemed intimidated by Florida.
BEST PLAYERS ARE BEST: Whereas the Blueshirts Big Three equalled zero, McDavid, Draisaitl and Hyman have taken control of the series.
Since the Panthers still lead the series, 3-2, it can't be said that McDavid is killing the Panthers, but he sure is well on his way.
And since the Rangers do not have a McDavid, our debate must end right here.