Stanley Cup Final: Oilers fail to solve Sergei Bobrovsky as Panthers win Game 1

The Edmonton Oilers did everything they could to solve Sergei Bobrovsky in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, but the Florida Panthers goaltender put on a show in front of a packed Amerant Bank Arena during a 3-0 victory on Saturday night.

Bobrovsky stopped all 32 shots he faced, frustrating an Oilers team that was averaging 3.5 goals per game heading into the Cup Final.

Despite Edmonton’s best efforts, which included 32 scoring chances and three power play opportunities, it didn’t end with the puck getting behind Bobrovsky. The Panthers, in turn, took advantage of their chances and profited by exposing the Oilers’ defensive deficiencies.

It didn’t take long for Edmonton’s defensive issues to manifest themselves. Carter Verhaeghe opened the scoring 3:59 into the game after finishing a perfectly executed transition by the Panthers from their own zone. Miscommunication caused Oilers defenseman Cody Ceci to leave center ice to defend Aleksander Barkov, but that allowed Verhaeghe to enter the zone unmarked with Mattias Ekholm slow to check.

One of the Panthers’ strengths is the forecheck, something that allowed Florida to create chances against the Oilers’ blue line.

This was evident during the Panthers’ second goal. Sam Bennett threw the puck into the corner, beat Ceci and passed in front to Evan Rodrigues to make it 2-0 early in the second period.

Eetu Luostarinen added the empty insurance tally to seal the game for the Panthers.

The defensive duo of Ceci and Darnell Nurse struggled in Game 1. The Oilers have been outscored 12-5 this postseason when they are on the ice together, including both Panthers goals.

The Panthers played with fire a little. They gave three opportunities to the Oilers’ power play, which was successful 37.3% of the time before Game 1. But Bobrovsky continued to be a brick wall and the Florida penalty helped keep Edmonton from getting into the game.

Tankers have no answers for Bobrovsky

There will be adjustments to be made by Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch before Monday’s Game 2, but the biggest one will be trying to find Bobrovsky’s weaknesses after a 32-save night.

The Oilers found holes to help create his 18 high-danger scoring chances. Adam Henrique and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had escapes in the first period, but were unable to beat Bobrovsky.

Offensively, it wasn’t a bad game for the Oilers. For two periods they dominated possession and scoring chances at 5 on 5. In the third period, while pushing to create anything to get on the scoreboard, they struggled, managing just 7 shots in the final 20 minutes.

Bobrovsky was very good in Game 1 and a victory in the opening game in the Stanley Cup Final historically bodes well for the winning team.

According to the NHL, teams that win Game 1 in the best-of-seven Cup Final are 64-20 (.762) all-time and 51-10 (.836) when they emerge victorious in that first home game.

The Panthers now lead the series 1-0 heading into Monday’s Game 2 at Amerant Bank Arena.

2024 Stanley Cup Final Schedule (Panthers leading series 1-0)

Game 1: Panthers 3, Oilers 0
Game 2: Lubricators in Panteras | Monday, June 10, 8 p.m. ET (ABC, ESPN+)
Game 3: Panthers at Oilers | Thursday, June 13, 8 p.m. ET (ABC, ESPN+)
Game 4: Panthers at Oilers | Saturday, June 15, 8 p.m. ET (ABC, ESPN+)
*Game 5: Lubricators in Panteras | Tuesday, June 18, 8 p.m. ET (ABC, ESPN+)
*Game 6: Panthers at Oilers | Friday, June 21, 8 p.m. ET (ABC, ESPN+)
*Game 7: Lubricators in Panteras | Monday, June 24, 8 p.m. ET (ABC, ESPN+)

(*if necessary)