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Oilers vs Panthers Stanley Cup Finals Game 3 |
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Tonight we find out if the Edmonton Oilers still have fight left in them or if their playoff run is approaching it's twilight. Being down 2-1 in a series is more than doable to come back, being down 3-0 is next to impossible. From the top of the lineup in McDavid and Draisaitl to the bottom of the lineup with Janmark and Brown; the entire team needs to play like there this is their last game, because if they lose, the next very well may be.
No word right now on the lineup for the game as Knoblauch has been quiet. What we believe we know is that Kane and Carrick are likely out of the lineup, while Ceci may be drawing back in with an 11/7 setup.
The name of the game tonight is puck battles. The Florida Panthers won nearly every 50/50 puck battle last game at all ends of the ice. The Oilers couldn't create chances because they never had the puck. From the moment the puck drops tonight the Oilers need to be aggressive and come out of the corners with possession.
The depth scoring needs to start coming out but for starters the Oilers need their best players to be the best players on the ice. Edmonton should have the higher end top talent but so far they have been shutdown both by Bobrovsky and by an aggressive Panthers team. Edmonton's best need to come out hard but I also don't want to see either player trying to do everything themselves. Use your teammates.
Dylan Holloway continues to impress and has been a bright spot in this series. He has shown he can not only keep up with the game but isn't afraid to push back and use his physicality to make plays. On a similar but different note, Philip Broberg is playing games in the Stanley Cup Finals and doesn't look overwhelmed. These are good young pieces that should continue to improve through the years on this Oilers team.
We have seen this team come back from adversity all season long. Their biggest challenge lays before them tonight.
Thanks for reading.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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