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2024 Stanley Cup Final: Oilers vs. Panthers
Keep up with the latest news and analysis from the Stanley Cup Final as the Edmonton Oilers look to end Canada’s championship drought against the Florida Panthers. All games can be watched on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
Power Play vs. Penalty Kill
Move over, Edmonton Oilers power play. The penalty killers are in the spotlight.
The Oilers reached their first Stanley Cup Final in 18 years, thanks in large part to a stingy penalty kill. They haven’t given up a goal in their last 10 playoff games and have kept a clean sheet in 28 straight short-handed situations.
The Oilers and Florida Panthers will open the 2024 Stanley Cup final with Game 1 in Sunrise, Florida.
When Edmonton’s power play struggled in the Western Conference Final against the Dallas Stars, lesser-known players like Mattias Janmark, Derek Ryan, Connor Brown, and Cody Ceci stepped up. Their efforts, combined with goaltender Stuart Skinner’s solid play, helped protect the defensive side of the special teams.
The Impact of Penalty Kill
Holding the Stars’ power play to 0-for-5 in a Game 1 double-overtime win was crucial for the Oilers. While the power play eventually found its rhythm, the penalty killers were consistent throughout, earning praise from defenseman Mattias Ekholm.
Head coach Kris Knoblauch commended assistant coach Mark Stuart for his work with the penalty kill unit. Stuart, a former NHL defenseman, took over the struggling penalty kill and turned it into a formidable force.
Edmonton enters the Cup final with a power play clicking at 37.3% and a penalty kill operating at 93.9%. In comparison, Florida’s special teams are running at 23.3% and 88.2%, respectively.
Mark Stuart’s Influence
Mark Stuart, in his second season as Edmonton’s assistant coach, has been instrumental in the team’s penalty kill success. Ekholm highlighted Stuart’s coaching style, describing him as tough yet humble, and emphasized the positive working relationship they share.
Knoblauch admitted his initial uncertainty about Stuart handling the penalty kill but acknowledged the tremendous job he has done. The coach credited Stuart for the team’s success and stressed the importance of the penalty kill in reaching the finals.
Looking Ahead
Edmonton’s goal differential 5-on-5 is plus-1 after 18 playoff games, indicating the significance of special teams in their quest for the Stanley Cup. Forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins expressed pride in the team’s performance and emphasized the continuous improvement needed.
Game 2 is set for Monday in Sunrise, with the series moving to Edmonton for games on June 13 and June 15. If necessary, Game 5 would be on June 18 in Florida, Game 6 on June 21 in Edmonton, and Game 7 on June 24 to conclude the series.
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