Oilers Fall Behind 3-0 in Game One, 6/8/24

 

Long series ahead. pic.twitter.com/k84haq6tyT

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) June 9, 2024

*Sorry for the lack of photos! Hoping to get permission eventually.*

   After knocking out the Dallas Stars and the New York Rangers, the Oilers met with the Florida Panthers on Saturday, June 8th at the Amerant Bank Arena for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Unfortunately, Edmonton had fallen behind 3-0 in Game 1 and will be playing the second game in Florida on Monday, June 10th. Sergei Bobrovsky made a total of 32 saves to shutout the Oilers and help Florida pull through with a successful Game 1. Carter Verhaege, Evan Rodrigues, and Eetu Luostarinen scored three goals for the Panthers. However, hopefully, the Oilers can make a comeback in the next to tie the series early.

Oilers Lineup:

Nugent-Hopkins - McDavid - Hyman

Kane - Draisaitl - Holloway

Foegele - McLeod - Perry

Janmark - Henrique - Brown

Ekholm - Bouchard

Nurse - Ceci

Broberg - Kulak

Skinner

Pickard

   Early into the first period at 16:01 on Florida's first shot, Carter Verhaeghe opened the scoring for Florida to give them a 1-0 lead. He sent a pass from Aleksander Barkov past Stuart Skinner. This had been the only goal in the opening 20, heading into the second with a 1-0 lead.

   Evan Rodrigues made it 2-0 with another early goal at 17:44 of the middle frame. The play had been set up by Sam Bennett, dumping the puck in off the end boards and beating Cody Ceci to it.  He feathered a pass, avoiding Darnell Nurse, and found Rodrigues in the slot - who went on to lift the shot past Stuart Skinner's glove coming from the right hash marks. Just like in the first, this had been the only goal scored in the second period.

   With only five seconds remaining in regulation, Eetu Luostarinen struck for an empty-netter and for a 3-0 final.

Connor McDavid on the Oilers' loss and the Florida Panthers: "I thought there was lots to like, to be honest. I thought we had lots and lots of looks and didn't give up too much. What we did give up was dangerous and they capitalized - that's what good teams do," - "Like I said, there was lots to like. We generated chances, we had looks, not a ton of puck luck around their net... but, they're a good team, give them credit. They do enough to win it."

Stuart Skinner on the team and the game overall: "Even though we let in the first one, I think that our team played, I would say, full 60. We were amazing for the whole game, we really pushed... 'Bob' was absolutely massive for them and a big reason why they were able to win," - "Obviously, it makes us feel confident that we're able to play a game like that for a full 60. But, at the same time, losing a game like that where you play your full 60 makes you need to get a little bit more of a push."

Notes:

- Stuart Skinner made a total of 15 saves for Edmonton.

- Connor McDavid leads the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs with a total of 31 points (five goals, 26 assists), however, he unfortunately was held without a point in this game, which is the first time in five games.

   This game was the first Cup Final game for McDavid, who had been selected No. 1 in the 2015 NHL Draft by Edmonton. This game is also the Oilers' first Final since 2006 when they lost in seven games against the Carolina Hurricanes.

- Aleksander Barkov recorded two assists... Carter Verhaeghe has 10 goals during this postseason, one shy of the Florida Panthers playoff record, which had been set by Matthew Tkachuk last season. Thirteen of his 25 NHL postseason goals have given the Panthers the lead.