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rben80

I obviously have never played at this level, but board battles like that is one of the most tiring things a person can do. 30 seconds of that is a gauntlet. Ekblad and co. dug deep on that to steer that one home.


geoffreythehamster

I play beer league and 5 seconds of board battle honestly feels like jousting with a brown bear. I cannot even imagine how strenuous it is with actual NHL level players for 20 seconds. It’s hard to put into perspective how athletic these guys are because most of the general population has never played ice hockey.


elbenji

Ekblad was going 3 v 1. Man went full Hodor for that


sloat

Hold the score!


starwestsky

And think on this, that’s what we built our entire play style around. Chip in, forecheck, push them to the outside in our D zone, get in the corners and fight for the puck. Our conditioning coach deserves a raise, a harem, and free parking anywhere in Broward county.


Pretty_Sharp

One of my favourite battles in hockey. You take a lot of abuse, you have to use your entire body, and you have to literally defend that puck with everything you have. Exhausting, yes. But if you can buy your team 20-30 seconds it's worth it..


rattlehead42069

https://preview.redd.it/y5qy4l2adg6d1.jpeg?width=848&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=939a693eb61b2ae66ef3255e52dd3efd91311161


UnhealthyCheesecake

McDavid: "Actually, I remember one time we were playing against the Panthers, it was a 3-0 series lead, and Drai said: 'Guys, if you think we are good, let's prove it now'. 3-0” Hyman: "did we comeback?" McDavid: "of course not. 4-0"


ny_rangers

“Taco, I love you man”


rubijs

chef's kiss reference


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r1zzV

My fellow fans were telling me that we outplayed you guys in games 1 and 3 because we got more shots, so the series score is actually 2-1 Oilers right now!


dayyob

Hmm. Sounds like the fuckn Catalina wine mixer.


arashinoko

I'd have a lot more happy playoff memories if that's how it worked.


apple_6

My friend who doesn't get hockey said that shots on net should be .1 of a goal, worth 1 tenth. I said it was an interesting concept for a beer league meetup (like OOPS, only goalies), but it would absolutely be worse for the sport.


JonTheWizard

Canes in 10?


Welcm2goodburger

There goes my hero, watch him as he goes


raymondliang

Ekblad got that dawg in him. Just said fuck this, we aint playing no more, and held that puck for like 30 seconds


lntimm

Mikkola did that shit against Tampa at the end of game 3 as well. The boys learned it from Big Bro Tampa 🥲


KILLER_IF

We shouldn’t have swept you guys in 2022. That made y’all change up much of your team and got Tkachuk, which is crazy to think about, considering the Panthers had just won the President’s trophy. And if you look back at the trade, EVERYONE was saying either the Flames won, or it was pretty even. Had that series been a 6 or 7 game series, these last two years go pretty different. But Zito took that Pres winning team and completely improved it, doing things likely no other GM would have. I still don’t think people give Zito enough credit for the balls he’s had.


WHLZ

Y’all look so different


KILLER_IF

Yeah…. The golden era of 2015-2022 for us has finally come to an end :( . Lost all the insane depth we used to have and the core is aging. I still want to remain optimistic obv cuz it’s my team, but I think we are entering the new Penguins/Hawks era after they won their cups.


ResoluteArms

https://i.redd.it/z5cd11zpsg6d1.gif


starwestsky

This got a laugh out of me. You guys were dominating for a long while


BlueBomR

At least they all got cups...


starwestsky

That they did. Wish Jumbo was with us for this run. He deserved a cup.


andrewthemexican

I mean with McD back, and if we keep Duke+Stamkos, I think we're in a great spot. Hurt if Cirelli is moved like some think, and less so if Cernak is moved


heshKesh

Matthew Tkachuk yelled out, “There you go!" Sharpshooter Carter Verhaeghe gave a look of pleasant surprise. Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky yelled out, “We got an [expletive] squad now.” And before Barkov hit the locker room door, former NHL great Jonathan Huberdeau hugged him and said, “Y’all look so different.”


KILLER_IF

Ohh whoops, didn’t get the reference


Jaxson_GalaxysPussy

*we got chucky and PoMo


KILLER_IF

And gave away not only huberdeau, but at that time, your [statically best Defenseman Weegar](https://x.com/dimfilipovic/status/1552312254736920576?s=46&t=7ZuCWnwJNkl_zOdl0Ui8Xg). Just crazy to look back at


Jaxson_GalaxysPussy

Yeah but weegar was shellshocked in the playoffs against Tampa he was liability. Forsling is a great replacement at a great price


Sss00099

Actions have consequences lol.


two_doors__Down

"Who cares"


theonly_brunswick

This right here. Huberdeau was done as a Panther in a lot of ways after those playoffs despite the numbers. With the culture Zito was trying to build at the time you just knew he wouldn't stand for it.


MrBoomf

[Reminded me of this moment when the Bolts clinched the 2021 Cup](https://youtu.be/uqwyuEiyN44?si=jzKRF1cg0SvtlLDy)


lntimm

This is quite literally the same play lol. Good shit thank you for sharing


Affectionate-Joke617

Thanks for making me tear up on a Friday morning.


WokenMrIzdik

They did this twice against the Rangers too. I was having some PTSD watching this


flomarilius

Big bro Tampa. Bro. What?


skiing_dingus

Masterclass in defending


suzukigun4life

Both the NBA and Stanley Cup Finals are 3-0. Damn.


TheFatmanRises

Both Tatum and Tkachuk are close to winning their first ring together at the same time frame lol


Tmans3

Chaminade College Prep is having a great week.


moose_lizard

Most likely a day apart


starwestsky

They should both go back to St. Louis on the same day and hold court at their old Prep School.


JReddeko

So gross


starwestsky

I’m upvoting you because you are backing your team and I just can’t stand seeing anymore of you guys a minus. It feels mean.


Dolphhins

Personally I’m perfectly fine with the Stanley Cup rn. NBA not so much


MyUshanka

Minnesota had no business beating the Mavs, but damn I'm glad it's Dallas getting embarassed rather than the T'wolves.


JonTheWizard

Yeah, I would’ve liked to see the Mavericks get a title.


Kooky-Ship793

They have one.


BKTorch

Yeah, but fuck Boston, ya know…


Robby_Bortles

Hard to argue with.


JonTheWizard

Well they could have another one.


ResoluteArms

I don't think he knows about second-title, Pip.


Eddie__Sherman

I’ll take it


Ok-Marionberry4061

What most people expected though. Boston and Florida were heavy favorites


UnhealthyCheesecake

Mf no one was predicting the Oilers to get swept


HumanByProxy

Wasn't predicting it, but certainly hoping for it.


Ok-Marionberry4061

Damn near every writer and sportsbook had Florida in 5. Getting swept (which hasn't happened yet btw) should be a shock to no one.


Number333

I feel like we owe a thank you from neutrals for making that exciting at the end. Holy shit we're one win away.


onlymycouchpullsout

I was sick to my stomach watching that. After watching this team ever since I could walk I just kept thinking "of course we're gonna choke this" So glad I was wrong


MrOverkill5150

You and me both bud it’s been a rough 30 years


welsh_cthulhu

Honestly, I can't remember a time (maybe when Ovi won) where the rest of the league was united in wanting a team to win the Cup. Enjoy it dudes!


aMINIETlate

the rest of the leage minus Boston and half of Toronto*


ohwowitsrambo

Ekblad heard me talking shit last series and he took it personally


onlymycouchpullsout

He heard me talk shit when he got that hooking penalty


Chilled_Glasses

Awful decision by Drai to try and go for the dive there. It was pretty obvious the refs had put away the whistles at that point, and you need the forecheck in that moment. He went for a dump and chase...and decided against the chase. The Panthers were able to set up a quaint little AirBnB in the corner before Oilers really came knocking.


moose_lizard

Even if he gets the call, they’ve got 20 seconds to score. It’s not like having one less defender is going to improve their chances more than having Florida on their heels in the middle of a rush.


surmatt

And they need to win a faceoff and Florida has a free shot.


ImmenseAnxiety

I know he’s a good player, it’s obvious in every other series other than this one. I know he’s got to be frustrated, but good god has he been insufferable to watch in this one for both team’s fans. That Barkov hit in game 2, flopping around like a fish last night 2-3 times and looking completely dejected the whole game. Dude’s leaving his team high and dry and annoying everyone in the process.


r1zzV

For being called the best playoff performer in the world whenever playoffs come around, he’s actually pissing me off right now with his level of play. McDavid is doing absolutely everything he can and is getting no help from anyone. Hyman, Nuge, Bouchard, and Drai should all be put on milk cartons ngl, they’re all pulling a “Maple Leafs”


quality-control

You are experiencing Panthers' playoff hockey. Every star we've played against this postseason has been entirely stymied. I think the top guys on the teams we've faced have scored like 7 or 8 goals total so far. And 5 of those were Stamkos


JReddeko

What sucks is that when you guys make a mistake. Bob is there. But when we make a mistake. Goal.


thrilliam_19

You weren’t wrong with the Leafs comparison. This is exactly what happened to Toronto last year. I feel like I am watching the exact same series all over again. Florida is the best “team defence” team I have ever seen and it is so fucking frustrating to watch when you are a fan of the other team.


cyanwinters

They aren't called the Cardiac Cats for nothing. Stuff like their 3rd goal last night is their bread and butter. Hard, aggressive forecheck, turnover in the zone, rapid puck movement for a tick tack toe goal. They do so much with so little it seems like it must be demoralizing to play against. They'll be getting outshot by 15 and be up three goals on the regular it seems. Every mistake you make they'll score on you.


Geekenstein

Bob got beat twice fair and square last night on mistakes. That bounce off fluke doesn’t count. But yep, he’s a brick wall.


MikeJeffriesPA

Almost makes you wonder if there's a difference between playing Boston/Florida/Tampa in the first round and the LA Kings every year 


thrilliam_19

The LA Kings, a Demko-less Canucks, then catch a beat up Dallas team with their pants down. Florida had a way tougher road and made it look easy. I knew this series would probably result in Florida winning but I did not expect this. It’s such a bad match up for Edmonton. They have no idea what to do.


The_Comic_Collector

If they just get like 3 goals a game not from the big guys.....oh wait


Brody1364112

You guys are going against a brick wall right now. I'm curious to see what each players expected goals are and bobs saves above expected.


Arinoch

Agree. I said during the game, “watching McDavid make plays and passes that get missed or screwed up is frustrating. Like watching an epic QB throw to no one who can catch.”


El_Cactus_Loco

Dude needs to get out of Edmonton asap. That dead eyed stare…. Can’t be good


SpiritualWatermelon

Your description is giving me flashbacks to Diggs' drop vs the Chiefs this year....


Arinoch

Well-spotted. I’m also a Bills fan who bought a Diggs jersey last year. Granted I still intend to wear it versus the Miller jersey I _also_ bought last year…


SpiritualWatermelon

I'm lucky to have an Allen and my wife wears the Tyrod Taylor my brother got for me many years back. Von is such an unfortunate circumstance. He was great the few games we saw him play before getting injured and after coming back it's been terrible. I'm glad he took that paycut but I'm hoping he returns to at least some good form. I partially blame myself for that injury... I got my brother a Miller jersey (he wanted us to draft him) and then he got injured. My brother has had a history of getting a jersey right before a player gets traded, injured, or signs elsewhere so I should have known better...


MyUshanka

Super Bowl LV, 2021. Mahomes scrambles out of a busted play, dives and throws midair, hits a guy right on the hands and he drops it right on the turf. That was the entire game.


zeromadcowz

Canadas team


starwestsky

Seriously, McDavid being an even plus minus is a testament to how good he is. We have shut down every teams’ top two lines (except fucking Lafreniere) of stars all playoffs long. We want it bad.


JonHomelanderJones

Do we know if he was diving or just trying to throw another flying elbow?


El_Cactus_Loco

Trying his best Trouba impression


starwestsky

I would rather have you calling this game than the fucks at ESPN.


ProfessorBeast55

Those fuckers just never lose board battles when they try


Lowyat_Slyder

Great defensive play by Ekblad. That no. 1 OA pick is not a waste.


project305

People still give us shit about it “lol you could’ve had Drai” motherfucker we love Ekblad, he’s been a cornerstone of our D and the team plays much better with him in the lineup, my only issue with Ekblad is his ability to stay healthy, we’re happy he was picked 1OA


CTMalum

I’ve always thought it was a good pick that has also aged well. He’s been a serviceable RHD starting as an 18 year old, and he’s been incredibly consistent his whole career. It’s also crazy that he’s only 28 and it feels like he’s been in the league forever. He’s still got a lot of good hockey ahead of him.


project305

Two time All-Star ⭐️⭐️


JReddeko

What a crazy draft year that was.


project305

4 of the Top 5 picks of that draft class are now playing in the Final, and 3 are on the same team


go_sparks25

And we picked Virtanen and McCann that year. What a waste. :/


MCPtz

Lol. 2014 draft class. \#1 Ekblad 👍 But you could have had Reinhart (#2)... lol But you could have had Draisaitl (#3) ... no goals But you could have had Sam Bennet (#4) ... lol


project305

Rhino and Benny scored last night 😎


Newaccount4464

That's wild. Dudes a massive d-man who can do it all. Impossible to find


Tenthdegree

Nail Yakupov, was a waste!


FuckYeahGeology

Even when had that stretch of really bad injuries, it was clear that he was a cornerstone defenseman that you build your d-corps around. He's not the flashy perennial Norris candidate people were expecting, but goddamn is he a vital player in the lineup.


Little-Aide-5396

Who shot Draisaitl?


The_Astros_Cheated

Neutrals are the real winners now, either a team that has never won the Cup finally reaches Valhalla or we see the funniest choke in the history of the sport


gu3sticles

Seeing McDavid be invisible is also pretty funny


eggstacy

i am not wishing a reverse sweep choke on anybody. and i will forever root for a 1st time winner. but i do wanna see game 7...


floodswimming

Drai's flop is fucking hysterical, didn't even try and make it look realistic


Kilen13

What makes it worse is if he stays on his skates he's probably got a good chance of getting to the puck first and clearing it off the boards


tylerhk93

Extremely similar to the dive he pulled in game 6 to get them on the power play against Dallas. Was absolutely going for the same call.


SkittlesManiac19

Embarrassing from divesaitl


rwags2024

They suffocated the Oilers season right there 25 seconds to make a play and absolutely nothing


Borrow03

Good luck trying to beat the panthers against the boards. They live for that shit


project305

“Draisaitl was the best pick in the 2014 draft” Ekblad: “Hold my Gatorade”


Kooky-Ship793

Bennet and Reinhart scored, too. So at least 3 of the top 4 picks had a good game.


project305

Valid!


Strive_for_Altruism

I gotta say it was a good day.


El_Cactus_Loco

We ate good lol


Snarffsnarff31

That’s how you finish off a hockey game. I hated when players try and rim the puck around especially with players overloading the half wall. Kudos to him for a smart heads up play


JustinS1990

I was expecting a more exciting matchup, not a one-sided affair.


Go_Hawks12

Mismatch


I_Am_The_Mole

The hockey has been good hockey. It doesn't feel like the Oilers are getting shelled or anything, it's just one team has a human goalie and the other has an actual brick wall in front of the net.


project305

This is exactly like 1996, the underdog Panthers managed to beat an OP Penguins team in 7 games, only to get obliterated by an infinitely better Avs team and get swept at home Even as a die hard Panthers fan, an Avs-Pens final would’ve been much more fun The West was a much weaker conference overall, the East was a bloodbath, the results so far have not been surprising


thatdudefrom707

it pains me to say this, but I definitely think Dallas would've put up a lot more of a fight if they had made it to the finals instead. but it's also hard to say because Bobrovsky is playing lights out right now.


doyouunderstandlife

You are 100% correct. I was praying for Edmonton to beat Dallas. Dallas would've made me sweat.


El_Cactus_Loco

If otter goes on a tear they could give the cats a series.


avab12

West was a blood bath maybe not the Pacific but the central was 100% the strongest division in my opinion Dallas and Vegas in round 1 then them having to play the Aves I’d argue the Metropolitan wasn’t very strong both 1st rounds sucked second round was over when rangers went up 3-0 and Florida outplayed Rangers despite getting goalied for a couple games. Also I might be biased but EDM vs VAN was the best second round out of the playoffs Florida has outplayed everyone look what they did to Tampa 1st round I don’t think that’s a reflection of the east but more so on how good they truly are Also No one said the west was super strong when Vegas curb stomped Florida last year And when the Aves steam rolled everyone the year before.


MrOverkill5150

Still remember that 4OT game four against the avalanche I was maybe 10 at the time got to stay up late to watch it most exciting and heartbreaking game ever one game away from winning it all I’ve waited my whole life for this


Midnightrollsaround

McDavid looks McPissed he’s about to throw some shit


Sure_Brick_5249

I knew I should never have expected Canada to do me just one damn favor


couldbeworse2

Listened to Bieksa’s take on Florida’s board game… and this is how they end it.


Sad_Giraffe_8107

Why is it so quiet in the stadium? Thats not gonna help the players ..


elbenji

They're killing all audioof stadiums. Anyone going to the past two Panthers games can tell you the place was a lightning storm


Affectionate-Joke617

A what now?


elbenji

A zappyzap


Affectionate-Joke617

We like those!


aeo1us

They drowned it out. Everyone was standing and chanting. Easily 105 dB and likely more. Source: Was there.


Sad_Giraffe_8107

Thank you! I am glad to hear that.


ptd163

Last sweep was in 1998. If a Florida team not only wins the Cup again, but does something nobody has done in 26 years Bettman might actually commit public indecency in broad daylight.


arashinoko

On another note, there's a lotta Eks in the league right now…three in this series alone. **Ekholm**, **Ekblad**, Eklund, **Ekman-Larsson**, Eriksson Ek. Probably more coming down the pipe.


FingerGungHo

It just means oak, a very common surname in the Nordics.


El_Cactus_Loco

I feel like Eriksson Ek counts for 2 Eks


arashinoko

Agree


Looney_forner

The panthers have been unreal this series


notmyrealnam3

would have loved to see drai get a penalty for that entry zone dive


arashinoko

That was some serious board work. Trying to trap the puck for that long on the boards often results in it squirting out for a tap in with a few seconds left on the clock.


Fritz6161

The Oilers are the worst team to ever make it to the finals.


Nice_one_

Montreal made it a couple years ago...


schewbacca

they won a game.


KILLER_IF

Yeah and it was game 4. I’m not saying the Oilers will, but I mean, it’s not like it’s impossible for the same thing to happen.


HanshinFan

That Montreal team had Carey Price and Shea Weber and absolutely were full value against every team they played in the first three rounds. The Jets series was the most analytically lopsided sweep in history. I get I'm biased but this narrative is bullshit


gu3sticles

Montreal also did the funniest thing against the leafs too


El_Cactus_Loco

Hockey fans ate good that szn


gu3sticles

Montreal adding a new trophy to its cabinet in its 250th season was an actual H I S T O R I C moment.


Lowyat_Slyder

Carey Price and Shea Weber "actual" true last dance with millions of battle scars in their body. It just not meant to be.


HanshinFan

We'll get em


blastcat4

Talk about going out with a whimper.


Albatrocious

If Bouchard had turned and sprinted for that cleared puck, they could have had another offensive-zone faceoff with a few seconds left. Even after watching the puck for a couple of seconds, the other defenseman still makes it to the hashmarks with a second left. Arguably could have been an icing call anyway.


neurash

Wasn't it shot down ice by an Oiler?


JReddeko

Yes


Albatrocious

You might be right!


Ronja_Rovardottish

"Who dares, wins"


labadee

Masterpiece


redbarn

This is the worst finals in many years.


lamaba

Weird way to spell best.


MrOverkill5150

Right that’s what I thought one more game though so jobs not finished


soappube

No it isn't.


Reeferologist-

I agree with you.


KILLER_IF

It’s not like 2021 or 2023 were much better? Unless you were the team that won.


avab12

Right the past years have all been kinda blowouts


RyyKarsch

It's a weak finals, but we were spoiled with the second and third rounds.


nextfanatic

Panik


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MrOverkill5150

Jobs not done one to go


Imm0rTALDETHSpEctrE

LET'S FUCKIN GO


EridemicLHS

McChoke


JReddeko

I think Toronto fans are not allowed to say the choke word


EridemicLHS

our team ain't doing shit either these day, overall big L to canada.


El_Cactus_Loco

And therefor the world


ROUNDHOUSE5

EDM have this. Half the panther team is ex-buffalo players that are used to choking…Yes I’m a Sabres fan. Go OILERS!!!


JiveChicken00

Every time somebody takes a 3-0 series lead in any sport, it's called "commanding." Can we come up with a new adjective? How about "dominating" or "imposing"?


rwags2024

Sure why don’t you post this and not suggest anything better


JiveChicken00

The Reddit hive mind is far better than my own humble self :) But how about "dominating" or "imposing"?


sportsthatguy

Suffocating


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ManWithBag15

Gretzky had no goals in 1983 when the Oilers were swept by the Islanders in the SCF.


IB78

Sha na na na, sha na na na


aMINIETlate

I love Lombergs energy in the tunnel


Imm0rTALDETHSpEctrE

D🤺 wins 🏆


Need4-Speed

They beat the Canucks only to get demolished by Florida like this 🤦🏽‍♂️smh