Oilers looking for ways to get more from key offensive players
Down 2-0 to the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final with just one goal scored, the Edmonton Oilers have some soul searching to do.
After Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch had some time to process the team’s 4-1 loss to the Florida Panthers on Monday night that put Edmonton down 2-0 in the Stanley Cup Final, he didn’t reveal any new master plan.
“Not sure much more we can do,” he said Tuesday as the series heads back to Edmonton for Game 3 and 4 after two games at Amerant Bank Arena. “Just sharpen up our shooting and be more accurate, I guess.”
Although some members of the Oilers roster said they felt like the better team in Game 1, Florida outmatched the Oilers in Game 2. The Panthers outshot Edmonton 29-19 and allowed zero high-danger chances in a stifling third period.
“We’re never satisfied after a game whether it’s a win or a loss,” Knoblauch said.
Edmonton’s output has been troubling. The Oilers’ strength lies in their offense, finishing the regular season at fourth in goals per game, with a margin of 0.12 between Edmonton and the top ranked Colorado Avalanche. However, Edmonton’s only goal so far this series came from defenseman Mattias Ekholm.
The lack of offensive production in Game 1 might be justified due to a shutout performance from Panthers netminder Sergei Bobrovsky. But Knoblauch said the team simply did not create enough chances in the second matchup.
Edmonton forward Zach Hyman said the team has to look at things in terms of chances, and that they didn’t get enough in Game 2.
“This game [the Panthers] played better than we did,” he said. “We didn’t have as many looks, we didn’t play with enough pace I think… And having said that, again, we had an opportunity to win.”
Hyman added the team is looking forward to being back on home ice.
“You’ve gotta take care of business at home, [Florida] just did that,” he said. “Now it’s our job to go back to Edmonton and win two.”
Oilers captain and offensive specialist Connor McDavid said the team needs to step up in big moments, particularly on special teams. Edmonton has no goals in seven power-play chances this series.
“You gotta string good plays together, and we haven’t been able to do that,” he said.
Raising the offensive production in Game 3 could be more difficult if Leon Draisaitl is suspended for his hit on Aleksander Barkov in Game 2, which knocked the Panthers captain out of the game in the third period. Draisaitl is second on the team in points this postseason, with 28. McDavid is first with 32.
The Oilers are making their first home appearance since Game 6 of the Western Conference Final against the Dallas Stars. Despite the concerns, McDavid said his group is up for the challenge.
“It’s supposed to be hard. It’s supposed to be difficult,” he said. “I’m excited to see what our group’s made out of.”
Carrick fined
Edmonton is already facing one punishment’s from Monday’s game. Sam Carrick was fined $2,213.54 for a slashing penalty on Florida defenseman Dmitry Kulikov. Oilers right wing Warren Foegele was ejected in the first period after being assessed a major penalty for kneeling against Panthers forward Eetu Luostarinen.