Whatever the final result of the 2024 Stanley Cup Last, it’s going to finish a drought for one among two long-suffering groups.
On one facet are the Florida Panthers — a group that has gotten this far twice and misplaced each instances: as soon as by the hands of the Colorado Avalanche in 1996 and final 12 months by the hands of the Vegas Golden Knights.
Then there are the Edmonton Oilers – who haven't touched the Stanley Cup since 1990. They're additionally carrying Canada's burden on their shoulders, because the Nice White North hasn't lifted the trophy in 31 years.
Florida’s bodily play will match up towards Edmonton’s high line — which options a few of the finest gamers in hockey — in what might be a tricky sequence for either side.
Right here, DailyMail.com previews the 2024 Stanley Cup Last – and predicts who will come out on high.
The Florida Panthers are again to the Stanley Cup Finals for the second time in two years
In the meantime, the Edmonton Oilers reached the Finals for the primary time since 2006.
Florida's journey to the Cup
Final 12 months, it could possibly be argued that the Panthers made the playoffs by likelihood – if the Pittsburgh Penguins didn't lose one sport, they wouldn't have made it to the Stanley Cup Last.
This 12 months, no such declare will be made. Florida was one of many 5 finest groups within the NHL for a lot of the season and their core carried out fantastically all through the marketing campaign.
Final 12 months, there have been some teaching points with Paul Maurice, and followers weren’t all the time proud of the tip of the commerce with Matthew Tkachuk.
This 12 months, each of these points have gone away as Morris has coached fantastically and Tkachuk has been top-of-the-line gamers within the league.
Florida simply cruised by way of the primary spherical with a gentleman's sweep of the Tampa Bay Lightning. They then defeated the Boston Bruins in six video games after which the New York Rangers within the Jap Convention Finals.
This group performs a really bodily sport – some may say borderline soiled – and excels at disrupting zone entries and exits by throwing our bodies round.
Whoever they have been going to play was going to have a tricky time and now is likely to be the most effective time for the Panthers to get their identify etched on Lord Stanley's trophy.
The Panthers' bodily play outshone everybody and made it to the finals as soon as once more
Florida gamers to be careful for
The Panthers have a pleasant high line of Carter Verhaeghe, Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart – who’ve mixed for 46 factors in these playoffs, scoring 23 targets and aiding on 23 targets.
Selke-winner Barkov is likely one of the finest faceoff takers within the sport, whereas Verhaeghe and Reinhart lead the group in targets.
The second line is dominated by Matthew Tkachuk, who leads the group with 19 factors – coincidentally he additionally has the identical variety of penalty minutes.
On protection, the Cats are led by Gustav Forsling, who has scored 11 factors in 17 video games. Sophomore d-man Brandon Montour is equally succesful offensively, scoring 9 factors in 17 video games.
Between the pipes is Sergei Bobrovsky – who performed brilliantly final season, however has regarded simply common in these playoffs.
His .908 save proportion and common of 24.4 photographs confronted per sport is best than his counterpart and is a testomony to how good his entrance protection is.
Matthew Tkachuk leads the Panthers in factors regardless of solely enjoying on the second line
Aleksander Barkov is a top-line heart and lately received the NHL's Selke Award
In the meantime, Sergei Bobrovsky has achieved properly in internet, however he’s not a famous person as a goalie.
Edmonton's journey to the Cup
A few month into the season, if somebody instructed you the Edmonton Oilers would make it to the Stanley Cup Finals, you’d be justified in laughing a bit of.
Edmonton began the season 3-9-1 and fired coach Jay Woodcroft. Their goaltending and protection have been poor and the aim scoring was not as dependable because it ought to have been.
All of those issues resolved themselves by January – a month wherein they received 11 of 11 video games – and the group performed extra constantly all through the rest of the common season.
After defeating the Los Angeles Kings in 5 video games, the Oilers performed a sport seven match towards the Pacific Division champion Vancouver Canucks. A 3-goal explosion within the second interval was sufficient to advance to the Western Convention Finals.
Edmonton wanted six video games to defeat the Dallas Stars – they received three in a row to finish the sequence and advance the group to their first Stanley Cup Finals since 2006.
The Edmonton Oilers will hope to finish Canada's 31-year Stanley Cup drought
Gamers to observe in Edmonton
This record begins with one identify: Connor McDavid.
It could be incorrect to say he’s the one identify to be on this record, however he’s by far the largest. McDavid is the most effective hockey participant on this planet proper now, and there’s good purpose for that.
With 31 factors, he leads all scorers within the playoffs – though most of these factors got here from assists. He’s the most effective skater within the league and scored 132 factors within the common season – making him by far the most effective scorer within the playoffs.
However McDavid isn't the one participant who excels at placing the puck within the internet. In reality, Edmonton has 4 of the highest scorers within the playoffs this 12 months.
Behind McDavid is his teammate Leon Draisaitl. Regardless of being on the second line as a substitute of his typical first line spot, Draisaitl has been a star for Edmonton. His 10 targets lead the group and his 28 factors are good for second place.
First-pairing defenseman Evan Bouchard is third with 27 factors and top-scorer Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is fourth with 20 factors.
Rookie netminder Stuart Skinner struggled early within the playoffs and was inconsistent all through the season, however actually confirmed his potential within the Western Convention Finals. His total .897 save proportion in these playoffs could also be dangerous, however within the six video games of the earlier sequence, his mixed save proportion was .916 – together with two video games of .950 or higher.
Connor McDavid (centre) is the most effective participant within the NHL and is determined to win the Cup in Edmonton
The Oilers' offensive sport is trouncing previous groups, even with a second-liner like Leon Draisaitl
Stuart Skinner might not have the save proportion, however his efficiency in current video games has been wonderful
So who will win all of it?
Discover out who will raise the Stanley Cup from DailyMail.com
The Panthers have an opportunity to win the Cup for the primary time of their historical past. The Oilers have an opportunity to win the Cup for the primary time since 1990 and finish a 31-year drought because the final time a Canadian group received the Cup.
It is a powerful sequence that’s arduous to foretell. The highest line for the Oilers is by far their greatest energy and will give Florida an upset in the event that they get going.
One factor we haven't considered is how Edmonton's defence powers its offence. Of all 4 groups' strains mixed, the Oilers' high pairing of Mattias Ekholm and Evan Bouchard is the fourth-most productive unit when it comes to scoring factors – which could possibly be Edmonton's secret weapon.
However on the identical time, Florida has been excellent at shutting down high strains (for reference, see: Boston, New York) they usually have extra constant scoring depth than the Oilers.
Whereas Edmonton’s high line is miles forward of Florida when it comes to factors, the Panthers have outplayed the Oilers on strains two and three.
It's that depth that provides the Panthers the sting on this sequence – however don't count on this sequence to be over rapidly. DailyMail.com predicts: Florida in 7 video games.
