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Stanley Cup Finals: Game 3 |
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Two down, two to go…
Game 2 did not disappoint from an entertainment perspective. Your Cats continue to chug along, relying on a deep roster and high intensity gameplan to stack wins in the Stanley Cup Finals.
While Bob has been the quite hero of the playoffs for Florida, Evan Rodrigues has been the breakout star this series. After what I would consider “meh” (hot and cold) play since signing with the Panthers, Rodrigues has been an awesome piece the tail end of the New York series and into the first two games of the Cup finals.
In some ways he has become a Verhage-like clutch player for the Cats right now. He’s become skilled at finding the soft spots on the ice. Sneaking in unnoticed for great opportunities, then burying passes out front via perfect one-timers.
No game at this stage is not complete without some kind of controversy. Game 2 was chock-full of several hits (clean and dirty) and climbing penalty numbers – 15 total between the teams.
The first big moment for Cats fans was the kneeing calling in the first period when Warren Foegele stuck his knee out, wiping Loustarinen out of the game.
The second came when Leon Draisaitl knocked Barkov out of the game after leading with his elbow (and leaving his feet) to apply a hit that wound up in Barkov’s jaw.
While Foegele was assessed a game misconduct for his dangerous knee-on-knee, Draisaitl received a two-minute penalty and no suspension or fine, to the dismay and anger of Florida fans.
As of yesterday, Barkov was on the ice practicing. Maurice also said Tarasenko is dealing with a “minor thing” and expected to be playing tonight.
TONIGHT
I wouldn’t change much heading into tonight.
The only thing I would warn against is many Florida fans desire for revenge on Draisaitl for the Barkov hit.
I have seen a lot of chatter on message board where fans are expressing their hope for Tkachuk, Bennett, etc., to go after Draisaitl…
But what’s the big picture here?
Florida leads the series 2-0. They’re heading into enemy territory tonight where the crowd is going to be hot. The eyes must remain on the priz in order to put a serious stranglehold on the series. If it works out where a big hit or tilt is applied to Draisaitl in a spot where it makes sense, so be it.
However, Florida will run the risk of getting away from their game plan if the focus is skewed too much on the idea of getting some kind of “retribution” against a player.
I get it. I wasn’t thrilled the hit either, but it happens. Some times you get the call, some times you don’t. And some times the league gets it right with disciplinary action, some times they don’t.
I’m guessing Barkov has bounced back and is ready to go. So let this squad do what they have been doing best lately: using their depth, heavy forecheck, and team defense to wear down the competition.
At the writing of this, not Barky and Tarasenko were on the ice for morning skate.
The other thing I’ll add is that Florida needs to be a bit crisper with the passing. Early in Game 2 there were a number of errant drop passes — with Mikkola almost scoring on his own goal— and lead passes that didn’t connect. Hopefully the Cats slow things down a bit and look for the right man.
Lastly, continue to clamp down on McDavid, Draisaitl and Bouchard. Majority of the offense Orin (forced) through these three guys.
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Expect a big push from the Oilers at home…Go Panthers!
Florida Panthers Blogger • 
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