EDMONTON – It takes more than a Game 1 loss to shake the Florida Panthers’ confidence.
Of course, letting a two-goal lead slip away in their 4-3 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final on Wednesday wasn’t the ideal way to start the best-of-7 series.
That was Florida’s first experience in the Cup Final and it had a host of injuries it could not overcome.
Now in their third consecutive Cup Final, including defeating the Oilers in seven games last season, the Panthers are confident they can rebound in Game 2.
The Panthers lost the first two games of that series and trailed 3-1 in Game 3 before rallying to win that series in seven games.
EDMONTON — The Florida Panthers’ confidence isn’t shaken by a Game 1 defeat.
Naturally, it wasn’t the best way to begin the best-of-seven series than to lose Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final to the Edmonton Oilers 4-3 in overtime on Wednesday after falling behind by two goals. Nevertheless, the Panthers have experienced enough over the last three seasons to realize that they still have a number of series to play, starting on Friday at Rogers Place with Game 2 at 8 p.m. A. ET; CBC, TVAS, SN, TNT, truTV, and MAX.
According to Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk, “we’ve been through way worse than just yesterday, and we’ve got a lot of battle scars on us from the last few years.”. “We can improve, make a few tweaks, and try to win here tomorrow to boost our confidence before returning home.”. “”.
The Panthers have now lost Game 1 of a series five times since the 2023 playoffs began. Their five-game loss to the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2023 Stanley Cup Final was the only series they lost, but they bounced back to win all but one of those series, including twice after dropping the opening 2.
It was Florida’s first time in the Cup Final, and they were unable to overcome a number of injuries. The Panthers are confident they can bounce back in Game 2 of their third straight Cup Final, which includes a seven-game victory over the Oilers last season.
According to forward Carter Verhaeghe, “we learn more from adversity than we do from winning.”. “Every time you lose games, lose a Cup Final a few years ago, or go through a series in which you’re behind 2-0, you learn a lot.”. It just requires perseverance and mental fortitude. That is what occurs, and the series has its ups and downs. “”.
However, the Panthers need to improve in a few areas of their game. The Oilers scored three of their four goals on high-danger shots in Game 1, and according to NHL EDGE Advanced Stats, they had a 15–6 advantage in high-danger shots on goal.
At times, Florida struggled to keep up with Edmonton’s forecheck, which resulted in prolonged defensive zone shifts. Following the first 1:48 of overtime, the Oilers outshot the Panthers 10-3, 14-7 in the first period, and 14-2 in the third.
Defenseman Seth Jones stated, “We looked at some video and learned what we can do better in the neutral zone.”. “They played a good game, but we look at things like maybe a little more offensive zone time. Their defense was strong. Many shots were blocked by them. And we were somewhat aware that there wasn’t much room outside and, in reality, not many plays to be made when we arrived. “.”.
In the second period, when their forecheck helped them control play and outshot the Oilers 17–8, the Panthers were at their peak. Sam Bennett’s second goal of the game at 2:00 into the second period put Florida ahead 3-1, but Viktor Arvidsson’s goal 1:17 later put Edmonton within striking distance of a 3-2 lead going into the third.
Mattias Ekholm’s game-winning goal was set up by Connor McDavid 6:33 into the third period, and Leon Draisaitl’s power-play goal 19:29 into overtime completes the Oilers’ comeback. In the last three postseasons (1-29), it was the first time the Panthers lost after leading going into the third quarter.
“They most likely earned that victory and finished the game better than we did,” Tkachuk remarked. More of the game was dictated by them than by us. That’s what it is. Let’s start over from scratch. Try to outperform them when you play tomorrow. “”.
To see that Florida can react, one need only look back to the team’s second-round matchup with the Toronto Maple Leafs this season. Before coming back to win the series in seven games, the Panthers lost the first two games and fell behind 3-1 in Game 3.
“There will be times during a game and a series where you’ll be on a rollercoaster,” defenseman Nate Schmidt stated. “These things will occur as the playoffs progress; you find yourself in overtime in Game 1 on the road and give yourself a chance to win.”. And I believe that this team has a remarkable capacity to apply their experience in circumstances such as these, in addition to learning from their past experiences. “.”.
Playing well away from home during the playoffs, as shown by their 8-3 road record, gives the Panthers confidence as well. Prior to Game 1, they had won five in a row on the road.
Given that the next two games of the series will be played in Florida, a victory in Game 2 here would immediately alter the series’ complexion.
“Get home ice back after one game.”. “It’s that simple,” Tkachuk stated. Although we would have preferred it to have happened yesterday, it is what it is. On the road, we feel at ease. It’s an easy game. The game is challenging. It is an adversity-style game and environment. We’ve said it a lot. It’s that “us against the world” mentality, but it’s especially noticeable when you’re depressed.
Even though you don’t have your back against the wall, you approach it as though you have to win badly in a hostile setting, and I believe that’s when we perform best. “.”.
