Coach Paul Maurice also liked the Panthers’ third period. Although the Oilers had a 7-6 advantage in shots on goal, the Panthers did a much better job of limiting their quality chances against Bobrovsky. Plus, Edmonton had only one shot on goal after pulling goalie Stuart Skinner for an extra attacker with 2:17 remaining.
“I’m not going to say I liked it because we dominated,” Maurice said. “That’s not the context that we’re in. We have a two-goal lead, and you run about probably legitimately 2:05 that he’s coming out of the net. … I liked our third, and I liked our third period in Game 6 against the Rangers, kind of the same situation that we played. I think that’s important to be able to do that, especially sometimes in these games, in the tight games.”
There were other things to like as well. Bobrovsky deserved a bunch of the credit, but any game in which the Oilers’ super duo of Connor McDavid (six shots on goal) and Leon Draisaitl (four) doesn’t get a point is a good one. Florida also held Edmonton’s high-octane power play to six shots on goal on three opportunities.
The Panthers weren’t satisfied, though. After losing to the Vegas Golden Knights in five games in the Cup Final last season, they’re on a mission to win their first championship this season. And they know they’ll need to improve as the series progresses.
“There’s an understanding,” Maurice said. “They’ve seen our game enough. What’s this one tonight? Hundred (games this season between the regular season and playoffs). I think we banged out 103 last year. They’ve had an opportunity to see us play, play well, things that we’re good at, so we got lots of room to improve, which is the positive for us tonight.”
