Author: Buffalo Winter

Florida Panthers versus Edmonton Oilers

Here along the Lake The first time my boys (Buffalo Sabres) went to the Stanley Cup Finals it was May 1975, and I was a 13-year-old Hockey Fanaticus who was in heaven because the Sabres were in the Finals.

I can relate to all the 13-year-old fans in the city of Edmonton and those across British Columbia to PEI, with their hope that this is the year, last season just making it to the Finals was awesome, but now it is all on the line to become part of NHL Stanley Cup history and to be forever known as “Stanley Cup Champions”.

To all the 13-year-old Panthers fans, you still get to hang on to last season’s Cup, you are Cup Champions forever forward no matter what happens during this series.

TONIGHT’S MATCHUP

Panthers vs Oilers 8pm (SCF Game 1) Buffalo Winter’s official prognostication: Edmonton wins the Cup in 6 games.

Oilers Stun Stars

Oilers 6 – Stars 3 (en) (SC SF 4-1) Edmonton wasted no time taking control of game five as they scored three goals in the first eight minutes of the game with the third goal scored by former Sabres sniper Center Jeff Skinner (1G 1A) in just his second playoff game, hopefully HC Knoblauch can keep his skilled veteran in their lineup.

Goaltending is the issue with Dallas as they pulled their number one netminder after he let in two goals on Edmonton’s first two SOG in the first period, neither goaltender has anything to brag about with both starters have difficulty earning a .900% save percentage or higher unless they post a shutout.

Stanley Cup Finals Game One

Florida Panthers versus Edmonton Oilers Wednesday, June 4th, 8pm

Third Consecutive SC SF Series Victory

Panthers 5 – Hurricanes 3 (en) (SC SF 4-1 Florida) They did not get swept, but Carolina won just one semi-finals game in their last four appearances, and you know it was bad when a 30-something fourth line center who had not scored in the previous 14 playoff games this season scores the tying goal only 30 seconds after Florida scored on the power play.

Credit where credit is due, the defending champion Florida Panthers have 10 players with at least 10 points, an outstanding goaltender, a quiet perseverance that returned them for a third consecutive appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals.

TONIGHT’S MATCHUP

Oilers vs Stars 8pm (SC SF 3-1 Edmonton)

Stars Slowly Succumb

Oilers 4 – Stars 1 (en x2) (SC SF 3-1 Edmonton) This was an exciting 2-1 game that was not decided until the very end, both teams combined for 26 SOG (more than some teams take in an entire game) in the first period that resulted in the home team taking a 1-0 advantage to the second period.

Although Edmonton scored first, the Stars answered in the second period with LW Robertson’s greasy snapper that eluded a blocking defenseman and goaltender Skinner to tie the game at one apiece seven minutes into the period.

Grizzled veteran RW Perry totally unmolested had the easiest tip-in playoff goal of his career to give Edmonton back the one goal lead that lasted until a few minutes remaining in the game when the Oilers scored two empty netters for the win and 3-1 series lead.

TONIGHT’S MATCHUP

Panthers vs Hurricanes 8pm (SC SF 3-1 Florida)

Netminder Negates Nemesis

Hurricanes 3 – Panthers 0 (en x2) (SC SF 3-1 Florida) What should have been a rat throwing Panthers Party for the home fans became Carolina’s curse crushing shutout that brings the series back to Raleigh for game five.

Both goaltenders were outstanding, but Florida’s offense stalled getting out shot 23-12 after the second period, the Panthers also squandered four power plays, had two empty net goals scored against them, and LW Tkachuk earned an “embellishment” penalty to cap off the loss.

TONIGHT’S MATCHUP

Stars vs Oilers 8pm (SC SF 2-1 Edmonton)