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Oilers strike back, tie Cup Final 2-2: Grades for both teams, look ahead to Game 5

1 day ago
Oilers strike back, tie Cup Final 2-2: Grades for both teams, look ahead to Game 5

  • Ryan S. Clark

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    In Game 4, the Oilers:

    • Found ways to take away the passing lanes, which is why they went from allowing 17 shots in the first period to 23 shots for the entire rest of the game.

    • Blocked 28 shots.

    • Significantly prevented the Panthers from having high-danger chances despite the possession numbers. In fact, the Panthers finished with one high-danger scoring chance in overtime while having a 57.14% shot share.

    Even with Reinhart’s late goal, the overall structure the Oilers used for the rest of Game 4 — coupled with Pickard’s performance — had them looking like the team that has led Connor McDavid to repeatedly state that they can play defense. But can they harness what they did in Game 4 for Game 5 and beyond? And if so, will that be the key to the rest of the series? — Clark

    Can Florida rattle Pickard?

    The Panthers had Skinner’s number in this series, scoring eight goals on the netminder through Game 3 and the first period of Game 4. Pickard, on the other hand, was excellent in relief of Skinner on Thursday, making 18 consecutive saves before allowing Reinhart’s goal late in the third.

    It’s not as if Pickard wasn’t challenged. He made several terrific stops on the Panthers’ top scorers and proved he was still in peak form despite not starting a game in weeks.

    That doesn’t bode well for Florida. Even though Reinhart did get one past Pickard late, it didn’t seem to shake Pickard’s confidence. He was terrific in extra time, doing more than enough to keep pace with Sergei Bobrovsky at the other end, and ultimately securing the victory for Edmonton.

    So what sort of challenge will a goaltending switch present for Florida in Game 5? Pickard was a sensational 6-0 in the postseason before getting hurt in the second round. If Pickard can be that game-changing presence in the crease that the Oilers are looking for, what will it take for the Panthers to respond and recapture an offensive edge? — Shilton