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NHL

Flyers Blank Bruins, 2-0

October 30, 2024 by Digital Sports Desk

BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Samuel Ersson made 23 saves en route to his first shutout of the season as the Philadelphia Flyers beat the host Boston Bruins 2-0 on Tuesday. Tyson Foerster netted the game-winning goal in the second period, and Joel Farabee added a last-minute empty-netter.

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The Flyers have won two of their last three games since a six-game losing streak (0-5-1).

Emil Andrae had the primary assist on Foerster’s game-opening goal. It was the 22-year-old Swedish defenseman’s first career point in his sixth NHL game, his second contest this season.

Joonas Korpisalo made 17 saves for the Bruins, who have won just one of their past four (0-3-1). That span includes a pair of shutout losses.

Prior to Tuesday, the Bruins had earned at least a point in 20 consecutive home games vs. the Flyers since March 17, 2012.

The Bruins had a 24-19 shot advantage but finished 0-for-4 on the power play. Just three of their shots came in the third period.

Foerster broke the scoreless deadlock 5:32 into the second. Andrae slipped a pass from the half-wall through traffic and right to Foerster between the circles, where a straight-on wrist shot beat Korpisalo.

The Bruins had a prime scoring opportunity before the game was six minutes old but were unable to convert on 1:37 of five-on-three time.

On the other end, Korpisalo made a big save on Garnet Hathaway, who shot off a two-on-one break with Scott Laughton out of the penalty box.

One of Ersson’s best saves of the opening period came with 5:21 left when a crisp passing sequence resulted in Elias Lindholm getting a point-blank chance at the left post.

Ersson did not see a shot on goal on either of Boston’s last two power plays, including attempts in both the second and third frames.

The opening minutes of the third saw 19-year-old Flyers star Matvei Michkov attempt a lacrosse-style goal, only to be thwarted by Korpisalo, while Ersson pounced on a loose puck that Brad Marchand threw on from behind the goal line during a short-handed sequence.

–Field Level Media

 

Filed Under: Boston Sports, Bruins, NHL Tagged With: Boston Bruins, NHL, NHL Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers

Bruins, Marchand Face Philly

October 29, 2024 by Digital Sports Desk

BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Bruins captain Brad Marchand has the monkey off his back.

Marchand scored his first goal of the season on Saturday — an overtime game-winner to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs — and the Bruins will try to ride that momentum into Tuesday’s homestand finale against the Philadelphia Flyers.

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“It’s one game. It’s not going to completely turn things around,” Marchand said. “But … it’s a great way to start building our foundation of understanding the way that we need to play to have success. It’s something to build on, but again, it’s one game.”

Marchand’s goal lifted Boston out of a three-game losing streak (0-2-1). Following the game, coach Jim Montgomery was quick to recognize the lift that his team’s bench got when Marchand was the player to win it.

“You could tell how happy the bench was when he scored that goal,” Montgomery said. “He’s our leader, he’s someone that embodies what it is to be a Bruin — the right way.”

Marchand and David Pastrnak each registered a goal and an assist while Justin Brazeau and Mark Kastelic also scored for Boston in the 4-3 win. Montgomery saw better overall effort from his group, including better puck management and fewer odd-man rushes.

Boston held its opponent to three power plays for only the second time this season, though it has still been short-handed more times than any other team (43).

From Montgomery’s eyes, there was improvement in that area, and he wants to see more in another area as well.

“Our puck pressure last game was the best it’s been, but it’s still not where it needs to be,” Montgomery said. “I would not come close to describing our team as relentless and that’s where we want to get. … Someone’s got to be pressuring the puck.”

The Flyers arrive in Boston at 2-6-1, looking to climb out of the Eastern Conference cellar.

A winning streak has eluded Philadelphia as it was unable to follow up a 7-5 Saturday win over the Minnesota Wild — which broke a six-game losing skid — with another victory, falling 4-3 to the Montreal Canadiens in the second half of a back-to-back.

“We’re just not working as a group,” defenseman Travis Sanheim said. “Last year, the reason we were so successful was it was five-man units, one after another, every line. We had an identity, we were working hard.”

Some of that togetherness appeared on Saturday in the Flyers’ first regulation win of the season, but it did not last into Sunday. Sanheim did score twice against Montreal, but Aleksei Kolosov (20 saves) could not manage a win in his NHL debut.

Marginal improvement aside, the Flyers have not hit the 30-shot mark in their last six games. With leading scorer Travis Konecny and much of the team’s core returning from a season ago, that result has been a bit of a surprise to coach John Tortorella.

“Some guys, I’m sure, a little frustrated and are gripping their sticks tight,” Tortorella said. “But, it does, it looks disjointed. … We’ve just got to get a little bit of, what’s the word I’m looking for? Just some smoothness in our game, just some good tempo and puck support.”

Konecny has a team-leading five goals, including one in three straight games, and 10 points this season.

However, further evidence of the team’s struggles comes on defense — in a minus-13 goal differential that is tied for second-worst in the NHL. Sean Couturier (plus-1) is the only player with a positive rating.

–Field Level Media

Filed Under: Boston Sports, Bruins, NHL Tagged With: Boston Bruins, NHL

Bruins Break Habs for 6-4 Victory

October 11, 2024 by Digital Sports Desk

BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The Boston Bruins scored four consecutive goals and turned around a 2-1 deficit to hold on and defeat the Montreal Canadiens, 6-4, on Thursday night. It was Boston’s ninth consecutive victory in the club’s home-opener.

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Mark Kastelic scored his first pair as a member of the Bruins, including a key insurance marker with 4:00 remaining that halted a two-goal Montreal rally.

Cole Koepke and Elias Lindholm each had a goal and two assists, while Charlie McAvoy and David Pastrnak (one goal, one assist) each scored their second goal in as many games.

McAvoy became only the second defenseman in Bruins history to score in the first two games of a season.

Nikita Zadorov and Brandon Carlo also had two assists apiece.

Jeremy Swayman made 21 saves in his first start since signing an eight-year, $66 million extension with the Bruins on Sunday.

Montreal’s Brendan Gallagher scored twice and Cole Caufield tallied a goal.

Also for the Canadiens, Boston University product Lane Hutson registered his first multi-point game in his fourth career contest with two assists, while Oliver Kapanen had his first NHL point.

Cayden Primeau (23 saves) lost his season debut.

The Bruins took a 3-2 lead with 1:37 left before the first intermission as Lindholm tipped Zadorov’s point shot through the legs of Primeau.

Benefitting from Zacha’s hard work down low, Pastrnak ripped home a shot in the slot with 4:04 remaining in the second.

Only 55 seconds later, Koepke sprung John Beecher into the offensive zone before following the play and banging home the puck that was left loose to make it 5-2.

Josh Anderson got one back for Montreal at 9:05 of the third, sending a long shot through traffic that deflected past Swayman.

Gallagher tallied from the slot with 4:17 left before Kastelic struck quickly thereafter on an attempted driving pass that deflected off a defender.

The visitors drew first blood 8:26 into the game when Gallagher tipped in a Joel Armia shot.

McAvoy glided across to the top of the left circle to fire in Boston’s game-tying wrister at 11:04.

Montreal regained the lead only 1:14 later as an uncovered Caufield scored a loose puck that stayed at the left post following Kaiden Guhle’s point shot. The star winger now has goals in back-to-back games to begin consecutive seasons.

Kastelic netted the 2-2 goal at 13:24, slotting home a slick wrister after Zadorov slid the puck down from the left point to the top of the circle.

–Field Level Media

Filed Under: Boston Sports, Bruins, NHL Tagged With: Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, NHL

Bruins Look for 9th Home Opening “W”

October 10, 2024 by Digital Sports Desk

BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The Boston Bruins want to turn the page.

Two nights after largely being dominated in a 6-4 loss to the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, Boston will aim for its ninth straight home-opening win on Thursday when the Montreal Canadiens visit.

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Defenseman Charlie McAvoy recorded a goal and an assist and was one of four Bruins to find the net on Tuesday, but Florida’s four-goal first period was too much to overcome.

“We weren’t good enough in so many areas,” Boston coach Jim Montgomery said. “They were. Their execution was really good and ours was really poor. I can’t pinpoint why we looked slow, but we looked slow the entire game.”

An eventful offseason saw Boston bring in the likes of center Elias Lindholm and defenseman Nikita Zadorov, but the biggest splash came Sunday when now-true No. 1 goaltender Jeremy Swayman signed an eight-year, $66 million extension.

Boston dealt Linus Ullmark, the co-No. 1 goalie last season, to the Ottawa Senators in June.

Joonas Korpisalo, who was acquired in the Ullmark trade, made 29 saves at Florida in what Montgomery thought was a solid opening effort.

The problems were “in front of him,” according to the coach.

“You can’t give up four backdoor tap-ins and expect your goalie to make save after save,” Montgomery said. “… We weren’t good enough.”

Montgomery had not announced his Thursday starting goaltender. Swayman did not see any preseason action.

The Tuesday loss was Boston’s first in a season opener since 2018 against another reigning Cup winner, the Washington Capitals. Perhaps some motivation?

“It’s a symbol of what every team in the league is trying to achieve, but at the end of the day, we’re more concerned about the foundation that we build within the group, with the practice and the way we’re going to prepare from the day forward,” Bruins captain Brad Marchand said.

The Canadiens visit Boston for the second leg of a back-to-back following a 1-0 home win against the Maple Leafs on Wednesday. Sam Montembeault made 48 saves — the most ever in an NHL season-opening shutout — while ending Toronto’s 227-game streak of scoring at least one goal.

Despite closing the preseason with a four-game losing streak and seeing the power play go 0-for-30 through six exhibition games, coach Martin St. Louis was largely pleased with his team’s level entering Wednesday, and he had his feelings confirmed.

“This is a very close group, a proud group and this game was an opportunity to show that,” St. Louis said. “This was the first game of the season, and you don’t get to go back and replay it. … There’s a lot of positives.”

There is no longer a three-man rotation in Montreal’s net. Montembeault signed a new three-year deal before Jake Allen was dealt to the New Jersey Devils at last trade deadline.

“I think I showed (last season) that I can be consistent,” Montembeault said. “That’s what I want to do every game again this year. Every time I get the chance to be in net, I want to give the team a chance to win.”

Montembeault, who will share the net with Cayden Primeau, came through on Wednesday. His performance allowed Cole Caufield’s first-period power-play goal to stand up.

Caufield, 23, scored in his third consecutive opener, then pointed to the sky to honor the late Johnny Gaudreau, whose former No. 13 he is now wearing. Gaudreau, a Columbus Blue Jackets star, died in an accident in August at age 31.

“(Gaudreau) paved the way for smaller players and proved we had a future in this game at the highest level,” Caufield posted on Instagram following the tragedy last month. “I will forever be grateful to him for inspiring me and others.”

Montreal defenseman Jayden Struble (upper-body injury) did not play on Wednesday.

–Field Level Media

Filed Under: Boston Sports, Bruins, NHL Tagged With: Boston Bruins, NHL

Unthinkable

September 1, 2024 by Digital Sports Desk

SADNESS @ COMMONWEALTH AND COLUMBUS, OHIO: It seems that every Labor Day there’s unthinkable news stemming from an automobile accident claiming the life of our youngsters. More often than not, the accident involves a driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs. … This past Thursday, terrible news hit the Columbia Blue Jackets, the NHL and our local Boston College Eagles ice hockey program quite hard and fully unexpected as NHL standout Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew, both New Jersey natives who grew up to play hockey at Boston College, died when they were struck by a vehicle driven by an alleged drunk driver while riding bicycles, according to New Jersey State Police. …

“The National Hockey League family is shocked and saddened by the tragic passing of Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement Friday morning, a communique to break the news to most. “While Johnny’s infectious spirit for the game and show-stopping skills on the ice earned him the nickname ‘Johnny Hockey,’ he was more than just a dazzling hockey player; he was a doting father and beloved husband, son, brother and teammate who endeared himself to every person fortunate enough to have crossed his path,” said the NHL statement. … According to police and media accounts, the two brothers were riding bicycles on County Route 551 — a two-lane highway in a rural area — in Oldmans Township (NJ) around 8:19 p.m. when they were fatally injured. A driver was traveling north when he shifted to the southbound lane so he could pass a car and SUV traveling ahead of him. When one driver tried to return to the northbound lane, the driver of the SUV had moved into the center of the highway to “safely pass the two pedal cyclists traveling north on the right side of the roadway,” police said. The vehicle driven by Sean Higgins, 43, then attempted to pass the SUV on the right and struck the two pedal cyclists [from behind]. As a result of the collision, the two pedal cyclists sustained fatal injuries,” said the authorities. … Higgins stayed at the scene, and after further investigation by troopers, was charged with two counts of death by auto, along with reckless driving, possession of an open container, and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle. He was jailed at the Salem County Correctional Facility. … According to the criminal complaint obtained by The Associated Press, Higgins told a responding officer he had five or six beers prior to the crash and admitted to consuming alcohol while driving. He failed a field sobriety test, the complaint noted. … “The Gaudreaus will forever be a part of the Boston hockey community thanks to the incredible impact they made as student athletes on and off the ice at Boston College,” the Boston Bruins said in a statement posted on X. … Johnny and Matthew were both scheduled to be groomsmen at their sister Katie‘s wedding on Friday in Philadelphia, according to The Columbus Dispatch. Unthinkable. … “Thank you for the best years of my life,” Johnny’s wife Meredith Gaudreau wrote on IG. “Despite losing you, I am still the luckiest girl in the world to have been yours. I love you so so much. You were perfect. Some days it felt too good to be true. I love every single thing about you. You are my forever and I can’t wait to be with you again. I love you so much forever and ever.” … Meredith then shared a follow-up post about Johnny’s role as a father. … “The absolute best dad in the world,” she wrote. “So caring and loving. The best partner to go through parenthood with. John never missed a single appointment. Was the best at putting the baby to sleep and the apple of Noa’s eye. I love how much she looks like him. We are going to make you proud. We love you so so much daddy.”

Filed Under: Boston Sports, NHL Tagged With: NHL

Bruins Hit Free Agent Market for $82.5m

July 1, 2024 by Digital Sports Desk

Boston Bruins Land Free Agents Lindholm, Zadorov

The Boston Bruins began their offseason by landing free agents Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov in deals totaling $82.5 million, according to multiple reports Monday.

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Lindholm’s deal is for seven years, $52.5 million and Zadorov for six years, $30 million, per news reports.

Both players finished out the 2023-24 season in Vancouver.

Lindholm, 29, tallied 44 points (15 goals, 29 assists) in 75 games last season with Calgary and Vancouver. The No. 5 overall pick in the 2013 draft by Carolina, Lindholm has 557 career points (218 goals, 339 assists) in 818 games with the Hurricanes, Flames and Canucks.

The Canucks traded their 2024 first-round pick, Andrei Kuzmenko, Hunter Brzustewicz, Joni Jurmo and a 2024 fourth rounder to Calgary for Lindholm in January.

Zadorov, 29, had 20 points (6 goals, 14 assists), 125 penalty minutes and 68 blocks in 75 games last season with the Flames and Canucks.

Zadorov has 146 career points (47 goals, 99 assists) and 701 penalty minutes in 642 games with Buffalo, Colorado, Calgary, Chicago and the Canucks. The Sabres selected him No. 16 overall in the 2013 draft.

Among 2023-24 playoff teams, the Bruins are third in the NHL with $21.6 million in cap space entering free agency.

–Field Level Media

Filed Under: Boston Sports, Bruins, NHL Tagged With: Boston Bruins, NHL

Thayer’s Roenick Leads Seven to Hall

June 25, 2024 by Terry Lyons

TORONTO – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The Hockey Hall of Fame announced its next seven members, with NHL stars Jeremy Roenick, Pavel Datsyuk and Shea Weber among the Class of 2024. Roenick was born in Boston and attended Thayer Academy as a youngster. He was drafted 8th overall right out of high school by the Chicago Blackhawks.

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Women’s hockey stars Natalie Darwitz and Krissy Wendell-Pohl were also elected in the player category, and executives Colin Campbell and David Poile were chosen from the builder category to round out the group.

The Hall of Fame’s selection committee voted Tuesday. The Class of 2024’s induction ceremony is slated for Nov. 11 in Toronto.

Roenick was one of the earliest American NHL stars, as he scored 513 goals with 703 assists across 20 seasons in the league from 1988-2009. Best known for his time with the Chicago Blackhawks, Roenick also suited up for the Phoenix Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks.

To this day, Roenick is the fourth-leading American-born goal-scorer in league history behind only Brett Hull, Mike Modano and Keith Tkachuk. He had been eligible for the Hall of Fame for more than a decade.

“I’m so happy, I can’t thank everyone who was behind this honor enough,” Roenick said in a news release. “I’m at a loss for words and I’m never at a loss for words. Getting over this last hockey hurdle means so much to me.”

Datsyuk, who began his professional career in his native Russia, came to the NHL in 2001 and played 14 seasons for the Detroit Red Wings. He tallied 918 points (314 goals, 604 assists) and won Stanley Cups with Detroit in 2002 and 2008. Datsyuk also won Olympic gold in 2018 and was a four-time winner of the Lady Byng Trophy, awarded for gentlemanly conduct.

Weber spent 11 seasons with the Nashville Predators and five with the Montreal Canadiens. The defenseman racked up 443 points (166 goals, 277 assists) in the NHL and won gold with Canada in consecutive Olympics (2010, 2014). As a junior hockey player, he won a Memorial Cup with the Kelowna Rockets.

Darwitz scored the winning goal for Minnesota to beat Harvard in the 2005 NCAA championship game. She went on to suit up for the United States at the Olympics in 2002, 2006 and 2010.

Wendell-Pohl also played collegiately for Minnesota and won the Patty Kazmaier Award for the top female college hockey player in 2005. She was also the MVP of the 2005 IIHF World Championships, the site of the United States’ first-ever gold medal. She captained the 2006 Olympic team.

Campbell has served as a player, coach and executive across a 52-year hockey career, including the senior executive vice president for the NHL’s hockey operations, officiating and central scouting departments for the past 25 years. Campbell won a Stanley Cup as associate coach of the New York Rangers in 1994.

Poile retired from his role as general manager of the Nashville Predators last summer and holds the honors of the winningest and longest-tenured general manager in league history. He was GM of the Washington Capitals from 1982-97 before taking the same role in Nashville and holding it for 27 years. Between those two tenures, Poile’s teams amassed a 1,533-1,172-192-178 record.

“I’m happy for my family and for the life I have been able to live through hockey,” Poile said. “Thanks to the Selection Committee for this tremendous honor.”

–Field Level Media

Filed Under: NHL Tagged With: NHL

Stanley Cup Resides in Florida

June 25, 2024 by Digital Sports Desk

SUNRISE – Florida’s Carter Verhaeghe scored one goal and assisted on another to pace the Panthers to a 2-1, Stanley Cup-clinching victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Monday in Game 7 in Florida. Verhaeghe’s teammate Sam Reinhart netted the Cup-winning goal for the Panthers, who saw a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series disappear before claiming the first Stanley Cup title in franchise history with the Game 7 victory.

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Florida goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky made 23 saves for the Panthers, nine in the final frame. His biggest play was a diving stop on Zach Hyman during a scramble at his net with seven minutes remaining.

Mattias Janmark scored for Edmonton, while goalie Stuart Skinner stopped 19 shots. Edmonton captain Connor McDavid was held without a point for the second consecutive game.

The Oilers, who were attempting to become only the second team in history and first since 1942 to win after falling behind 3-0 in the finals, lost in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final their last two trips. The also fell just short in 2006 against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Reinhart provided Florida its second lead of the night at 15:11 of the second period. Seconds after the Oilers nearly scored during a flurry of action at both ends, Reinhart led a rush up ice and found the mark from just beyond the right faceoff dot for his 10th of the playoffs.

The Oilers dominated the third period, holding the Panthers to only four shots on goal in the frame and only two in the final 14:43. However, Edmonton could not find the equalizer in the entertaining affair despite a litany of action at the Florida net.

The clubs traded first-period goals just over two minutes apart. Verhaeghe’s first goal since he opened the scoring in Game 1 of the finals put the Panthers on the board first. He deflected Evan Rodrigues’ shot for his 11th of the playoffs at 4:27.

Janmark replied at 6:44 with his second of the series and fourth of the post-season by converting a breakaway chance with a top-shelf shot.

Instead of repeating history with a completed comeback, the Oilers are only the second team in history to force a Game 7 after trailing 3-0 in the finals before losing the deciding clash. The Detroit Red Wings pushed the Toronto Maple Leafs to a Game 7 in that scenario in 1945, three years after the Maple Leafs rallied from three games down to top the Red Wings in the finals.

Edmonton’s defeat extends the string of years since a Canadian team last won the Stanley Cup to 31. The Montreal Canadiens last brought the cup north in 1993.

–Field Level Media

Filed Under: NHL Tagged With: Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, NHL

Bruins Trade Ullmark to Senators

June 24, 2024 by Digital Sports Desk

BOSTON – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – Boston Bruins acquired forward Mark Kastelic, goaltender Joonas Korpisalo and a 2024 first-round draft pick (25th overall) from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for goaltender Linus Ullmark. Ottawa will retain 25% of Korpisalo’s salary.
Kastelic, 25, appeared in 63 games during the 2023-24 season, recording five points and five assists for 10 points. The 6-foot-4, 226-pound forward has skated in 144 career NHL games, all with the Senators, tallying 14 goals and 11 assists for 25 points. Among Ottawa forwards in 2023-24, Kastelic ranked third in penalty minutes (63) and fourth in hits (126). The Phoenix, Arizona native was originally selected by Ottawa in the fifth round (125th overall) of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
Korpisalo, 30, appeared in 55 games with Ottawa during the 2023-24 season, recording a record of 21-26-4 with a 3.27 goals against average and .890 save percentage.  The 6-foot-3, 189-pound goaltender has played in 276 career NHL games with Ottawa, Los Angeles and Columbus, compiling an overall record of 115-107-29 with a 3.06 goals against average and .901 save percentage. The Pori, Finland native was originally selected by Columbus in the third round (62nd overall) of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

Filed Under: Boston Sports, Bruins, NHL Tagged With: Boston Bruins, NHL, Ottawa Senators

Edmonton Eyes NHL Game 7 History

June 24, 2024 by Digital Sports Desk

SUNRISE – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The thrill of victory and agony of defeat at stake in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final are next-level. The routes both the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers have taken to reach the winner-take-all clash will take that emotion off the charts.

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The Panthers play host the Oilers on Monday night in Sunrise, Fla., on the heels of blowing a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven championship series. Only once in finals history has a team failed to close out the series when up 3-0, the 1942 Detroit Red Wings, who lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Conversely, the Oilers are not only looking to cap an incredible comeback in the same manner as those Maple Leafs, but they also risk becoming the second team in NHL history to erase a three-game deficit only to lose the finals in Game 7. (Coincidentally, it was the 1945 Red Wings who took that path and ended up losing to Toronto, again.)

The pressure is huge. Or is it?

“Game 7, at home, how could you not be so jacked up?” Florida forward Matthew Tkachuk said. “This is an absolutely incredible, incredible opportunity. So, yes, you want to recognize or remember some of the good things that helped you beat these guys earlier in the series, but I’m trying to forget all of it. Just go in there and win one game. This is what it comes down to.”

It sounds simple, but the Panthers have failed three consecutive times to close out a series they appeared to have complete control of, and have done so in stunning fashion. Starting with an 8-1 victory in Game 4, the Oilers have outscored the Panthers 18-5 in the past three outings. Florida has not held a lead in any of those defeats.

Suffering a reverse-sweep loss with a shot at winning the first Cup in franchise history would be a painful experience on its own, but doing it in such inglorious fashion would be crushing.

The key for the Panthers will be not allowing the negative thoughts to paralyze their game.

“Game 6, there are a lot of options in your mind. Game 7, it’s one game and you just have to prepare yourself,” Florida forward Vladimir Tarasenko said.

“We still have another chance to win a Cup. You have to fix what you have to fix and come in with a positive mindset and believe in the guy next to you. This maybe sounds pretty simple, but it is what it is.”

The home team boasts a 12-5 record all-time in Game 7 of the finals but the road team has won the last three games.

The Oilers are well aware they have the opportunity to make history by earning the franchise’s first Cup since 1990.

“We’re all human and we’re aware of what we’ve accomplished so far, but if you go past that, it comes down to one game,” forward Leon Draisaitl said. “We have to focus on winning one hockey game on the road and play our best. Everything else, all the stories, will take care of itself after.”

That said, Edmonton’s skaters must not get ahead of themselves by thinking they are a runaway train that cannot be stopped.

“You’ve got to prepare just like you always do,” captain Connor McDavid said. “It’s not your ordinary game, everybody understands that, but you’ve got to make it as ordinary as possible in your head, and part of that is just sticking to your routine. Our room has done a great job of being at our best in big moments and I would not expect anything different.”

–Field Level Media

Filed Under: NHL Tagged With: 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, NHL, Stanley Cup Final

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DigitalSportsDesk.com
2 weeks ago
DigitalSportsDesk.com

While We're Young on the Future of NYRA

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TL's Sunday Sports Notes | June 1 - Digital Sports Desk

digitalsportsdesk.com

At The Memorial in Dublin, Ohio, Scottie Scheffler birdied four of his last five holes, finishing with a birdie from just inside 15 feet. He took the third round lead when 18-h ole leader Ben Griffin ...
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DigitalSportsDesk.com
2 months ago
DigitalSportsDesk.com

Sunday Sports Notebook

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TL's Sunday Notes | March 30

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While We're Young (Ideas) and March Go Out Like a Lyons
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DigitalSportsDesk.com
4 months ago
DigitalSportsDesk.com

Gotta Give Pitino the credit. Constant and Full-Court Press made the difference and his players were in condition to wear down UConn. digitalsportsdesk.com/st-johns-defeats-mighty-uconn/ ... See MoreSee Less

Gotta Give Pitino the credit.  Constant and Full-Court Press made the difference and his players were in condition to wear down UConn. https://digitalsportsdesk.com/st-johns-defeats-mighty-uconn/
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DigitalSportsDesk.com
4 months ago
DigitalSportsDesk.com

Groundhog Day!

whileyoungideas.substack.com/p/tls-sunday-sports-notes-feb-2 ... See MoreSee Less

Groundhog Day!

https://whileyoungideas.substack.com/p/tls-sunday-sports-notes-feb-2
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DigitalSportsDesk.com
5 months ago
DigitalSportsDesk.com

Plenty O' Notes and a Look at Boston Pro sports for 2025 - ... See MoreSee Less

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TL's Sunday Sports Notes | Jan 12 - Digital Sports Desk

digitalsportsdesk.com

In each round-up, there are far too many questions and not nearly enough definitive answers to the woes facing the New England clubs, the Celtics included. It might be time for some major shake-ups at...
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