Bobrovsky's Masterclass 32-Save Shutout Secure Panthers' Game One Victory of Stanley Cup Finals
At Amerant Bank Arena on Saturday night, the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers opened Game One of the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals after a week break after the end of the Conference Finals. After falling to the Vegas Golden Knights last season, the Panthers are making their second consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup Finals, and they were excited to start the series strong with an even healthier and more formidable team than they had a year ago. In the meanwhile, the Oilers want to become the first Canadian team to win the Cup since 1990 as they go into their first Stanley Cup Finals under captain Connor McDavid. The 2024 Stanley Cup Finals got off to a fantastic start in Game One, much to the delight of hockey fans everywhere. The Panthers would begin the series on a high note, defeating the Oilers 3-0 in a shutout to take a 1-0 lead in the series, thanks to a 32-save performance by goalie Sergei Bobrovsky.
In the first period, the Panthers would seize the lead right away, going up 1-0 on their opening shot just 3:59 into the contest. Following a puck recovery in their own end, the Panthers would launch a breakaway attempt. Carter Verhaeghe received a backhand pass from Aleksander Barkov close to the left post, and he wrist-shotted the puck past Stuart Skinner, the Oilers' goalie, and into the goal for his 10th goal of the postseason. Almost eight minutes into the game, Mattias Ekholm of the Oilers was called for a tripping penalty, setting up the Panthers' first power play of the game. However, the Oilers' league-best penalty kill in the postseason would kill off their 29th consecutive penalty and keep their deficit at one. Despite being outshot 13–4 by the Oilers in the opening 20 minutes of play, the Panthers would head into the first intermission with their 1-0 lead in tack.
The Oilers would begin the second period on their second power play of the game after Verhaeghe was called for a high-sticking penalty to end the first period. Still, the Oilers would be unsuccessful with only one shot on goal while having the man advantage. Soon after the Panthers killed off the Oilers' power play, 2:16 into the second period, Brandon Montour dumped the puck into the Oilers' zone. Sam Bennett was there to backhand the puck behind the net to Evan Rodrigues in front of the crease, who snapped-shot it past Skinner's left side and into the net for his fourth goal of the postseason to give the Panthers a 2-0 lead. Both sides proceeded to up the aggressiveness, registering a combined total of 74 hits after two periods, and after 40 minutes, the Panthers would lead by two goals entering the third.
The Panthers and Oilers defenders tightened up in the third period, limiting opportunities for scoring on both sides of the rink. Six minutes in, Corey Perry of the Oilers was called for interference, setting up the lone power play of the period. However, the Oilers would hold off the Panthers' power play to keep the game at 2-0 in favor of Florida. In an attempt to launch a late comeback, the Oilers decided to pull Skinner for an extra attacker with 2:30 remaining in regulation. However, Eetu Luostarinen of the Panthers would score the empty-net goal from center ice with four seconds remaining, securing the Panthers' 3-0 triumph in Game One. The Panthers will look to take the first two games of the series on home ice in Game Two of the Stanley Cup Finals on Monday night.
