Matt Ross: Stanley Cup Finals: Game 2

Agree. Nurse and Ceci pairing sucks balls. Take advantage of those 2 whenever they’re on the ice. Nurse in particular is prone to stupid decisions, he can’t think the game fast enough.
Need more of Benny and Chucky playing the way they can. Oiler stars don’t like to get hit and manhandled.
I’d expect a better game from the Panthers and you know the Oil will be storming the net. It’s going to get even more physical in front of Bob.
Go Panthers go!

Agree. Nurse and Ceci pairing sucks balls. Take advantage of those 2 whenever they’re on the ice. Nurse in particular is prone to stupid decisions, he can’t think the game fast enough.
Need more of Benny and Chucky playing the way they can. Oiler stars don’t like to get hit and manhandled.
I’d expect a better game from the Panthers and you know the Oil will be storming the net. It’s going to get even more physical in front of Bob.
Go Panthers go!
- K-man25

It's interesting because the announcer mentioned that Nurse and Ceci had been separated at one point during the playoffs due to poor play together. Then they were paired back up for Game 1.

I would expect them to be separated tonight.

Agree. Nurse and Ceci pairing sucks balls. Take advantage of those 2 whenever they’re on the ice. Nurse in particular is prone to stupid decisions, he can’t think the game fast enough.
Need more of Benny and Chucky playing the way they can. Oiler stars don’t like to get hit and manhandled.
I’d expect a better game from the Panthers and you know the Oil will be storming the net. It’s going to get even more physical in front of Bob.
Go Panthers go!
- K-man25

Yup.

Go Panthers!!

Oilers only managed 2 shots on goal in the first half of the third period. They improved as the game went on. They’re gonna have to build on that and be much better from the start tonight. Panthers definitely weren’t fully ready for Edmonton speed at first, that’s the best team they’ve faced yet. They’ve seen it now, they will adjust to it.
It’s always gonna be more “bend don’t break” when McDavid is out there, especially if they’re loading up with drisaitle. That line had more than half of their chances.

Oilers only managed 2 shots on goal in the first half of the third period. They improved as the game went on. They’re gonna have to build on that and be much better from the start tonight. Panthers definitely weren’t fully ready for Edmonton speed at first, that’s the best team they’ve faced yet. They’ve seen it now, they will adjust to it.
It’s always gonna be more “bend don’t break” when McDavid is out there, especially if they’re loading up with drisaitle. That line had more than half of their chances.
- Ratsreign

Kind of funny how when you haven't watched McDavid closely in a bit (like I haven't), you forget about the ridiculous speed and ability to cut that he has.

For example, there was a play where Ekblad forced McDavid to the outside. He did everything right. Then McDavid just turns it on, blows by Ekblad and cuts over on a dime for a quality chance on Bob.

Oilers only managed 2 shots on goal in the first half of the third period. They improved as the game went on. They’re gonna have to build on that and be much better from the start tonight. Panthers definitely weren’t fully ready for Edmonton speed at first, that’s the best team they’ve faced yet. They’ve seen it now, they will adjust to it.
It’s always gonna be more “bend don’t break” when McDavid is out there, especially if they’re loading up with drisaitle. That line had more than half of their chances.
- Ratsreign

That’s all Edmonton ever does. They try to win with their PP. if that isn’t working then load up McD and Drai and hope they do something. That’s all they ever have.

It's interesting because the announcer mentioned that Nurse and Ceci had been separated at one point during the playoffs due to poor play together. Then they were paired back up for Game 1.

I would expect them to be separated tonight.
- Matt Ross

They won’t separate Ekholm and Bouchard, that’s a nice looking pair. After that, Oilers have 5 4-6 defencemen, not many options.

Kind of funny how when you haven't watched McDavid closely in a bit (like I haven't), you forget about the ridiculous speed and ability to cut that he has.

For example, there was a play where Ekblad forced McDavid to the outside. He did everything right. Then McDavid just turns it on, blows by Ekblad and cuts over on a dime for a quality chance on Bob.
- Matt Ross

Being a fan of the Flames gives us way too many views of McDavid and Draisaitl. They’re easily in the top 5 of the league. But Benny and Chucky will make things very uncomfortable for them, they’ve played them many times.
Why isn’t Lomberg playing?

That’s all Edmonton ever does. They try to win with their PP. if that isn’t working then load up McD and Drai and hope they do something. That’s all they ever have.
- TurdFergeson

Even we could make that decision. i hope they extend Holland.

I watched the game twice now. I don't disagree that Edmonton carried the play but to say Bob was the biggest factor in the win doesn't seem accurate. Florida (mostly Ekblad) let some of those speed guys get behind him waaay to much... forcing Bob to make a few critical saves...but for the most part Edmonton were just lobbing shots at him with zero traffic in front. So yeah, for the most part goaltending was a big factor, but the bigger reason is that Edmonton (even with all those sog's) didn't really give Bob a proper challenge.

Panthers played well enough for game 1. Panthers have shown big improvements after they shake the cobwebs off. Keep the pressure on the Oilers and Skinner, let the frustration build.

This has the real potential of becoming a series of a few individual stars trying to outplay a solid team structure and then Bob.

Panthers looking good!
Go Panthers!

Kind of funny how when you haven't watched McDavid closely in a bit (like I haven't), you forget about the ridiculous speed and ability to cut that he has.

For example, there was a play where Ekblad forced McDavid to the outside. He did everything right. Then McDavid just turns it on, blows by Ekblad and cuts over on a dime for a quality chance on Bob.
- Matt Ross

And when Forsling went to poke check him and stuck it between his skates, instead.
Dude is flying with the puck. It’s crazy.

Being a fan of the Flames gives us way too many views of McDavid and Draisaitl. They’re easily in the top 5 of the league. But Benny and Chucky will make things very uncomfortable for them, they’ve played them many times.
Why isn’t Lomberg playing?
- K-man25

It feels like Maurice is picking his spots when inserting Lomberg into the lineup. When Lorentz, Stenlund, and Okposo struggle, or the team gets into a little funk, I feel like that's when Maurice puts Lomberg back in.

He's like an energy guy for hire right now. Haha. They put him in to recharge the team, then take him out when things are running normal again.

Panthers played well enough for game 1. Panthers have shown big improvements after they shake the cobwebs off. Keep the pressure on the Oilers and Skinner, let the frustration build.

This has the real potential of becoming a series of a few individual stars trying to outplay a solid team structure and then Bob.

Panthers looking good!
Go Panthers!

- JimboCoppertone

That's essentially what it comes down to. Can McDavid enter into an as-yet-unseen God Mode where he can essentially single-handedly beat the Cats' pressure and Bob.

Granted they have guys like Draisaitl, Bouchard, and Hyman who are all good/great players. But if they're able to make it, McDavid will have to channel 1985 playoff Gretzky.

It's interesting because the announcer mentioned that Nurse and Ceci had been separated at one point during the playoffs due to poor play together. Then they were paired back up for Game 1.

I would expect them to be separated tonight.
- Matt Ross

Ceci is out, desharnais is in

No changes for FL

Ceci is out, desharnais is in

No changes for FL
- Ratsreign

Only because sitting Numbskull Nurse would make Holland look bad.

Let's go Cat's, turn up the Heat. Puck pressure in your face Hockey and take home the W

Let’s go Panthers!!

That was a sh!tty call on Bennett

OEL is a (frank)ing idiot. Just gave this team some confidence

Great game. Panthers played a much better game tonight with a little luck on their side. 2 posts and a crossbar, breakaway for McJesus, Draisaitl stopped twice from his office by Bobrosky.
What’s the word on Barkov? Missing teeth? Jaw? Hope he’s good to go on Thursday.

It’s 9 o’clock here in K town, everyone’s gone to bed in Florida.

Great game. Panthers played a much better game tonight with a little luck on their side. 2 posts and a crossbar, breakaway for McJesus, Draisaitl stopped twice from his office by Bobrosky.
What’s the word on Barkov? Missing teeth? Jaw? Hope he’s good to go on Thursday.

It’s 9 o’clock here in K town, everyone’s gone to bed in Florida.
- K-man25

Bed? We’re celebrating

Draisaitl with a nice leaping elbow to Barkov chin. Totally left his feet before contact.
Haven’t heard anything about Barkov status.

Good job Cats