Frozen puck games - Stanley Cup Playoffs: Draisaitl's Oilers feeling the heat
Edmonton Oilers faced defeat for the second time in the Stanley Cup Finals. With a lacklustre offensive display, the Canadian NHL team lost to the Florida Panthers by a score of 1:4.
The game's crucial third goal came in the dying seconds of a power play as a result of a penalty against Draisaitl. The 27-year-old, regarded for his strong form during the first playoff rounds, managed only one shot on target and has yet to reach that level in the finals. In the upcoming two matches at home, the Oilers are under immense pressure to clinch the National Hockey League title, which entails four victories.
Evan Rodrigues grabbed the spotlight, scoring the first double pack in the Stanley Cup Finals for the Panthers. "I'll do whatever it takes, that's been my approach all along," Rodrigues stated on American television.
32 unsuccessful attempts
The Oilers managed to score their initial goal following 32 unsuccessful attempts in the 12th minute of the first match. Mattias Ekholm registered Edmonton's first Stanley Cup strike since their last final appearance 18 years ago. The team boasting the league's top three forwards - Connor McDavid, Evan Bouchard, and Draisaitl - recorded just six more shots on net in the second and third periods.
"We just do what we've been doing all season long. These are outstanding players who will get their chances, but we have a solid defense that's served us well so far," Rodrigues shared. His double pack, courtesy of Niko Mikkola's equaliser, ended the game. Aaron Ekblad netted the fourth goal two and a half minutes before the conclusion, with Edmonton playing without a goaltender.
Rodrigues' second goal arrived after a penalty against Draisaitl, who accidentally landed an elbow on Alexander Barkov's chin, forcing the latter to leave the game for two minutes. After overcoming 34 undermanned scenarios throughout these playoffs, Rodrigues claimed the series with his goal. It was the Panthers' first overtime goal in the playoffs this season. "Our mindset shifted somewhat in the third period and we approached it like a regular five-on-five match," Rodrigues recalled.
Despite his sensational showing in 13 playoff games with a minimum of one scoring point, Draisaitl finds himself without a tally in the finals so far. Meanwhile, McDavid has one assist.
Read also:
The Edmonton Oilers hailing from Canada are part of the National Hockey League (NHL). Their primary opponent in the Stanley Cup Finals, the Florida Panthers, are based in Sunrise, Florida, USA. The Oilers are known for their strong trio of top forwards: Connor McDavid, Evan Bouchard, and Leon Draisaitl.
Draisaitl, a 27-year-old German player, had a strong form during the early playoff rounds but struggled in the finals, only managing one shot on target. The Oilers faced defeat in the finals for the second time, losing to the Panthers 1:4, with their lone goal coming after 32 unsuccessful attempts.
The Panthers' Evan Rodrigues emerged as a standout player, scoring the first double pack in the Stanley Cup Finals. His goals, including one after a penalty against Draisaitl, were crucial in securing the series victory for the Panthers. Despite Draisaitl's impressive performance in the playoffs with a minimum of one scoring point in 13 games, he has yet to tally a point in the finals.
