The Florida Panthers shut out the Edmonton Oilers. 3-0, in the inaugural game of the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Finals over the weekend. As the NHL world gets itself ready for Game 2 this evening, the confident Cats enter Amerant Bank Arena with a series lead in the Finals for the first time.
Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky bailed out Florida with brilliant goaltending in Game 1 and Edmonton will certainly adjust their offensive tactics for Game 2. Can Florida claim a second game at home to put Edmonton on their heels in the series, or will Connor McDavid and his hockey friends respond with a Game 2 victory party?
Carter Verhaeghe Has Been A Stanley Cup Finals Regular
Florida’s Carter Verhaeghe is looking for his second Stanley Cup ring in his third trip to the Stanley Cup Finals over the last five seasons. As unbelievable as it is, the state of Florida has represented the Eastern Conference each of those last 5 seasons. Verhaeghe skated on the 2020 Stanley Cup-winning Tampa Bay Lightning squad as a rookie. Despite a few recent appearances in the final round, Verhaeghe doesn’t take the opportunity lightly.
“I always had the drive to kind of get better, and I knew I had the talent and I think it just took a little longer for me,” Verhaeghe said. “It took a long time to get here. I think no path is straight, and I think for me it definitely hasn’t been straight. I’ve definitely been to a lot of different places, and everywhere I went I tried to take from that experience and kind of learn from my experience of where I’ve been and try to get better.”
Shockingly, Verhaeghe’s three-out-of-five season streak is not even the most impressive of the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Finals. Despite losses in each attempt, Edmonton Oilers forward Corey Perry has returned to his fourth Stanley Cup Finals in the last five postseasons.
Panthers Need More Discipline at 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Finals
Even though Edmonton did not solve Sergei Bobrovsky in Game 1, the Florida Panthers gave the Oilers three opportunities with the man advantage. Florida will need to clean up that aspect in Game 2 as the Oilers are far too talented with the power play. McDavid and Draisaitl are tied at the top of the list with 12 power play points during the 2024 NHL postseason.
Panthers defender Aaron Ekblad said Florida conceded some chances but they did their best job to limit prime opportunities to the Edmonton superstars:
“Our PK is predicated on pressure all the way, and we never want to lose that. Especially against a team like this, the more time you give them, they’re going to make plays. But at the end of the day, once they get their head up and you’re staring down the barrel at them, they make good plays. So, it’s a hell of a tough job, so we’ll keep doing our best.”
Veteran Panthers On A Quest For First Stanley Cup
Four veteran members of the Florida Panthers hope that the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Finals is finally their chance to claim the Stanley Cup. The Panthers veterans are 35-year-old goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, 32-year-old defender Oliver Ekman-Larsson, 36-year-old depth forward Kyle Okposo, and 57-year-old head coach Paul Maurice. Each of those men has spent many seasons applying their craft in the National Hockey League without achieving the ultimate success.
Will 2024 finally be the year that these four men get to raise Lord Stanley’s Cup high for all Florida Panthers to see? We get a bit closer to that answer on Monday Night with Game 2 in South Florida tonight.
About The Author
Christopher Babos is a genuine sports & entertainment journalist with diverse credentials in writing, broadcasting, and digital media. He can be located on X for real-time takes (@CBabosWrites). With various roles in the sports industry over two decades, Chris can speak with authority on the topics he covers.
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