Special Event: 2024 Stanley Cup Finals: Edmonton Oilers vs. Florida Panthers
June 7, 2024 1:16 PM - Subscribe
This will be the Florida Panthers' 3rd visit to the finals (zero Stanley Cup wins to date). The Oilers maintained a dynasty during the Wayne Gretzky years, with 4 Stanley Cup wins (and a 5th, post-Gretzky, during the 89-90 season).
Previously: 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The Stanley Cup has not resided with a Canada-based team since 1993's Montreal Canadiens' victory over the Los Angeles Kings (incidentally, Wayne Gretzky's last appearance in a Stanley Cup final series playing for the Kings).
Who to watch: Connor McDavid was drafted to the Oilers in 2015, he is the Captain of the team, and he is referred to as a 'generational talent' (or McJesus, by his admirers). Leon Draisaitl is a phenomenal talent, German-born, and plays Centre/Left for Edmonton. He reminds me a little of Mark Messier: skills matched with a bit of a nasty streak. He has benefited from a steady diet of McDavid assists but there's no denying he'd be putting up points no matter who he plays with. Stuart Skinner, the young "local hero" (born in Edmonton) is the Oiler's netminder and probably the biggest question mark for fans: which Skinner is going to show up?
I will leave it to the Panthers fans to talk up Tkachuk, Barkov, Bennett, Bobrovsky, et. al. I respect Matthew Tkachuk's ability to be a difference-maker in a game but I won't mind at all to see Evander Kane hit him hard against the boards a few times.
The Stanley Cup has not resided with a Canada-based team since 1993's Montreal Canadiens' victory over the Los Angeles Kings (incidentally, Wayne Gretzky's last appearance in a Stanley Cup final series playing for the Kings).
Who to watch: Connor McDavid was drafted to the Oilers in 2015, he is the Captain of the team, and he is referred to as a 'generational talent' (or McJesus, by his admirers). Leon Draisaitl is a phenomenal talent, German-born, and plays Centre/Left for Edmonton. He reminds me a little of Mark Messier: skills matched with a bit of a nasty streak. He has benefited from a steady diet of McDavid assists but there's no denying he'd be putting up points no matter who he plays with. Stuart Skinner, the young "local hero" (born in Edmonton) is the Oiler's netminder and probably the biggest question mark for fans: which Skinner is going to show up?
I will leave it to the Panthers fans to talk up Tkachuk, Barkov, Bennett, Bobrovsky, et. al. I respect Matthew Tkachuk's ability to be a difference-maker in a game but I won't mind at all to see Evander Kane hit him hard against the boards a few times.
Fun fact for your next trivia night: at 2541 miles, this is the furthest apart two teams have been so far for the Stanley Cup Finals. Vancouver vs Boston at 2499 miles apart held the previous record. I think Vancouver vs Miami at 3431 miles (per Google) would probably be the actual furthest apart 2 teams could be.
posted by beaning at 4:20 PM on June 7 [1 favorite]
posted by beaning at 4:20 PM on June 7 [1 favorite]
Australian here - vibe check - does most of Canada hate the Oilers but are sucking it up because Canada?
posted by jjderooy at 4:44 PM on June 7 [1 favorite]
posted by jjderooy at 4:44 PM on June 7 [1 favorite]
No, regardless of Boston Pizza, most Canadians aren't actively rooting for the Oilers. They've had too many years of really high draft picks and they've not done anything with them until now. McDavid and Draisaitl are whiners despite their obvious skill.
As a Canucks fan, I'm rooting for the Panthers (there's a Robert Luongo connection).
New York Times/ Athletic (may be paywalled) Oilers or Panthers? A Stanley Cup Final rooting guide for 30 other NHL fan bases.
posted by porpoise at 5:02 PM on June 7
As a Canucks fan, I'm rooting for the Panthers (there's a Robert Luongo connection).
New York Times/ Athletic (may be paywalled) Oilers or Panthers? A Stanley Cup Final rooting guide for 30 other NHL fan bases.
posted by porpoise at 5:02 PM on June 7
I'll end up plate-of-beans-ing your question, jjderooy, but here goes
1)No
2) never trust a Canucks fan
3) there are Oilers haters but they tend to congregate in Calgary
most people who are: not porpoise and Canadian are cheering for the Oilers, I can guarantee it
if there is a perennially hated Canadian franchise it is Toronto, anyone who says otherwise is sniffing their own special glue. the hate for the Leafs, outside of the fandom, is so vitriolic that I've seen people who aren't satisfied to see them lose, they need to see those Game 7-come-from-a-3-1-deficit kinds of losses to fully enjoy their hatred of the team
I grew up in Atlantic Canada, most people either cheered for Montreal or Boston with your occasional Nordiques fan for the contrarians. Just past the 80s mid-point and just as I was moving out West, a lot of people started getting on the Oilers fan bus, how could you not (Gretzky), then I ended up in Alberta and not anywhere close to Calgary so Oilers it is
most of Canada, and I say this unequivocally, are not hating on the Oilers right now
posted by elkevelvet at 5:11 PM on June 7
1)No
2) never trust a Canucks fan
3) there are Oilers haters but they tend to congregate in Calgary
most people who are: not porpoise and Canadian are cheering for the Oilers, I can guarantee it
if there is a perennially hated Canadian franchise it is Toronto, anyone who says otherwise is sniffing their own special glue. the hate for the Leafs, outside of the fandom, is so vitriolic that I've seen people who aren't satisfied to see them lose, they need to see those Game 7-come-from-a-3-1-deficit kinds of losses to fully enjoy their hatred of the team
I grew up in Atlantic Canada, most people either cheered for Montreal or Boston with your occasional Nordiques fan for the contrarians. Just past the 80s mid-point and just as I was moving out West, a lot of people started getting on the Oilers fan bus, how could you not (Gretzky), then I ended up in Alberta and not anywhere close to Calgary so Oilers it is
most of Canada, and I say this unequivocally, are not hating on the Oilers right now
posted by elkevelvet at 5:11 PM on June 7
There is a man in Edmonton who specified in his will that he wanted the Edmonton Oilers to be the pallbearers at his funeral [beat] so that they could let him down one last time. [rimshot]
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 6:45 PM on June 7 [1 favorite]
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 6:45 PM on June 7 [1 favorite]
Canadian here rooting for the Panthers. I'm not a hockey guy, but I like coach Paul Maurice and want him to win the cup, if only to spite Winnipeg.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 10:19 PM on June 7
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 10:19 PM on June 7
Most of my Canadian-born extended family is from Edmonton so by all measures I should be rooting for the Oilers, but my cousin who keeps sharing memes about the Oilers fan who, ah, exposed herself on camera during a game in the family group chat is making it very difficult (cousin is very recently divorced and being very Divorced Man about it)
posted by btfreek at 11:08 PM on June 7
posted by btfreek at 11:08 PM on June 7
In no particular order, remember when Bob's salary was a sign that the hockey world was ending? McDavid's chin bandaid looks silly but his neck cut looks gross. Ekblad doesn't get enough love.
posted by beaning at 8:20 AM on June 9
posted by beaning at 8:20 AM on June 9
Did McD really say Dallas should have won game 6? I saw a quote but the linked video is too long for me to bear.
posted by beaning at 8:20 AM on June 9
posted by beaning at 8:20 AM on June 9
Huh-McD doesn't specify Dallas but he does say they ,maybe shouldn't have won game 6 in this X/twitter link https://x.com/sportsnet/status/1799647860495114255
posted by beaning at 9:42 AM on June 9
posted by beaning at 9:42 AM on June 9
2nd and 3rd periods of Game 6 were tilted heavily for Dallas, luckily Skinner made some critical saves.
So far Bobrovsky is MVP, some fantastic net-minding throughout the post season and the Oilers will have to figure him out. Ever the Oilers fan, I just hope they head back to Edmonton with a split
posted by elkevelvet at 7:09 AM on June 10
So far Bobrovsky is MVP, some fantastic net-minding throughout the post season and the Oilers will have to figure him out. Ever the Oilers fan, I just hope they head back to Edmonton with a split
posted by elkevelvet at 7:09 AM on June 10
It could be added, the Panthers were not playing their best on Saturday. If Florida comes out strong in tonight's game, Edmonton may be in trouble.
posted by elkevelvet at 1:31 PM on June 10
posted by elkevelvet at 1:31 PM on June 10
see above
Panthers take a 2-0 lead heading to Edmonton, and the single goal scored against Bobrovsky is small consolation for an Oilers team that couldn't get many shots on net throughout the game. Both teams have been taking questionable penalties, but Florida ended Edmonton's penalty killing streak and scored a power play goal. I'd say injuries are starting to make a presence, both teams are probably nursing some secret hurts. What a tough road to a trophy.
posted by elkevelvet at 7:16 AM on June 11
Panthers take a 2-0 lead heading to Edmonton, and the single goal scored against Bobrovsky is small consolation for an Oilers team that couldn't get many shots on net throughout the game. Both teams have been taking questionable penalties, but Florida ended Edmonton's penalty killing streak and scored a power play goal. I'd say injuries are starting to make a presence, both teams are probably nursing some secret hurts. What a tough road to a trophy.
posted by elkevelvet at 7:16 AM on June 11
Edmonton may be in trouble
Confirmed, Edmonton is in trouble.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 12:48 PM on June 11
Confirmed, Edmonton is in trouble.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 12:48 PM on June 11
Florida will be in trouble if Barkov is out or further injured.
posted by beaning at 3:24 PM on June 11
posted by beaning at 3:24 PM on June 11
I dunno, Florida seems to have some "Barkov to spare"
He is a fitting captain and he makes his presence felt, but the Panthers are playing to win and I don't think his absence would be a deciding factor
Meanwhile, after yesterday's game the Oilers have a lot to sort out: beating Bobrovsky and matching Florida's tempo
posted by elkevelvet at 3:38 PM on June 11
He is a fitting captain and he makes his presence felt, but the Panthers are playing to win and I don't think his absence would be a deciding factor
Meanwhile, after yesterday's game the Oilers have a lot to sort out: beating Bobrovsky and matching Florida's tempo
posted by elkevelvet at 3:38 PM on June 11
Barkov is a Selke winning center. He played 17 min before he left the game with 9 min left in the 3rd. He's been instrumental in how Florida's been able to shut down a lot of fantastic scorers this playoff series. I don't follow Florida enough to know who will pick it it up if Barkov can't play.Tarasenko didn't seem to have a lot of ice time and I'm not sure why. Maurice doesn't seem to relying heavily on any one player though, probably indicative of the physical game they play. Tkachuk, Reinhart, Bennett, each had 17 to 20 in the whole game. The defense also had minutes well spread out, with no one higher than 20 to 22. (Of course I'm coming from Pitt and Dallas where some dman is always playing 30 min, it seems)
posted by beaning at 8:56 PM on June 11
posted by beaning at 8:56 PM on June 11
Just to compare with Edmonton, McDavid and Drai had 22 to 25 minutes and Bouchard had just over than 30 minutes.
There's a depth issue here. It's hard to match tempo when you're exhausted.
posted by beaning at 9:02 PM on June 11
There's a depth issue here. It's hard to match tempo when you're exhausted.
posted by beaning at 9:02 PM on June 11
Draisaitl escapes punishment as Stanley Cup Final ratchets up intensity
Liberty to drill Drai a few times now? Should have been adjudicated as an infraction.
posted by porpoise at 11:03 PM on June 11
Liberty to drill Drai a few times now? Should have been adjudicated as an infraction.
posted by porpoise at 11:03 PM on June 11
Liberty to drill Drai a few times now?
Florida has enforcers and is up two games. Why not?
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 3:17 PM on June 12
Florida has enforcers and is up two games. Why not?
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 3:17 PM on June 12
Overheard on YouTube, “It’s McOver.”
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 8:30 PM on June 14
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 8:30 PM on June 14
Whoa! Edmonton, be careful! Don't take all your goals in one game!
I'm not surprised Edmonton had a breakout game finally but getting Bob pulled was unexpected. He can be erratic but he was playing really well until this game. regression to the mean, I guess.
posted by beaning at 7:52 PM on June 15
I'm not surprised Edmonton had a breakout game finally but getting Bob pulled was unexpected. He can be erratic but he was playing really well until this game. regression to the mean, I guess.
posted by beaning at 7:52 PM on June 15
No kidding, wild Game 4
You'd hope Edmonton would avoid a sweep, and they did, and Game 5 in Florida should be entertaining.
posted by elkevelvet at 11:13 AM on June 16
You'd hope Edmonton would avoid a sweep, and they did, and Game 5 in Florida should be entertaining.
posted by elkevelvet at 11:13 AM on June 16
Damn. McJebus was involved in every one of Edmonton's goals.
Can't believe the 5-hole goal that beat Bobby.
posted by porpoise at 7:56 PM on June 18
Can't believe the 5-hole goal that beat Bobby.
posted by porpoise at 7:56 PM on June 18
Overheard on YouTube, “It’s McOver.”
happily premature
well it's an interesting series, and the first three games left some doubt that we'd get that
the empty net goal was one for the ages, I suspect there will be a Bill Zito meme hitting the web shortly. whatever happens next, I think McDavid has acquitted himself
posted by elkevelvet at 8:34 PM on June 18
happily premature
well it's an interesting series, and the first three games left some doubt that we'd get that
the empty net goal was one for the ages, I suspect there will be a Bill Zito meme hitting the web shortly. whatever happens next, I think McDavid has acquitted himself
posted by elkevelvet at 8:34 PM on June 18
I hadn't realized how much I wanted Florida to win until Edmonton started their comeback effort. Also hadn't realized how much I really don't like hockey in June but that's more post-season talk.
posted by beaning at 11:00 AM on June 19
posted by beaning at 11:00 AM on June 19
I appreciate how Florida plays and I appreciate the team's ethic, and I'm always happy to see a club get their first Stanley Cup, so in that sense I'm not sure there's a losing outcome for me
But my proximity to Edmonton has me hoping the Oilers force a Game 7 and I'd be happy to see them bring the Cup home
posted by elkevelvet at 4:06 PM on June 19
But my proximity to Edmonton has me hoping the Oilers force a Game 7 and I'd be happy to see them bring the Cup home
posted by elkevelvet at 4:06 PM on June 19
Game 6 tonight, my goodness
I'm guessing Florida would like to avoid Game 7 roulette, even the prospect of winning at home. I expect them to come out hard, play to win, leave nothing to chance
Edmonton's at-home record is not great, but who knows what will happen tonight. I can recall a few ho-hum final series in the past, but this one is edging up the hype meter.. my one regret is that Jack Michaels is not calling the post season games, he is built for this intensity
posted by elkevelvet at 10:38 AM on June 21
I'm guessing Florida would like to avoid Game 7 roulette, even the prospect of winning at home. I expect them to come out hard, play to win, leave nothing to chance
Edmonton's at-home record is not great, but who knows what will happen tonight. I can recall a few ho-hum final series in the past, but this one is edging up the hype meter.. my one regret is that Jack Michaels is not calling the post season games, he is built for this intensity
posted by elkevelvet at 10:38 AM on June 21
Yeah, Bobby's a broken goalie now. I really hope that I'm wrong.
Frick'n McJebus. Drai too.
posted by porpoise at 1:47 AM on June 22
Frick'n McJebus. Drai too.
posted by porpoise at 1:47 AM on June 22
You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments
Edmonton will play in Florida the first two games (Saturday and Monday), then two days for travel and Games 3 and 4 in Edmonton, Thursday and Saturday
posted by elkevelvet at 1:20 PM on June 7