Author: Buffalo Winter

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)

Stars implode in the third period

Oilers 6 – Stars 1 (SC SF 2-1 Edmonton) Surprisingly the best goaltender of this series is the Oilers Skinner and not the Stars Oettinger as evidenced by Dallas launching 21 SOG in the second period and only scoring once.

The Stars were never really close in this game, although they came within one goal for four minutes before the Oilers Captain McDavid scored his second of the night to regain the two-goal lead towards the end of the second period, Edmonton would score three times on only 6 SOG in the third period for the 6-1 win and series lead.

TONIGHT’S MATCHUP

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