Written by Graeme on Thursday, May 22nd, 2025
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It was quite the opener for the Oilers-Stars series yesterday.
The Oilers had a 3-1 lead going into the third period, and they looked – I think the word would be comfortable. Stars hadn’t looked like they were threatening at all, and if anything it looked like the Oilers were going to pile on.
They looked so comfortable I didn’t mind missing a bit of the game while I got ready for bed. So consider my surprise when I finished the bedtime ritual, got in bed and turned on the game to see it was 3-3! Then before you knew it, 4-3, 5-3, 6-3.
An absolute rout.
What the Oilers have going for them at least is it was due to the lack of a penalty kill unit, so 5 vs 5 at least they should feel good about.
Should be an interesting Game 2.
Speaking of Game 2s……….
Hurricanes vs Panthers Game 2
Scott: The Panthers scored the 1st 2 goals of the game and didn’t look back and took home ice advantage away from the Canes.
Bobrovsky continues to be great in the playoffs making 31 saves for the win. There was one point where the Panthers didn’t get a shot on goal for more than 15 minutes.
You could tell that the Canes had 5 days off between games as they looked a little rusty. The Panthers had 48 hours between their action.
Now that the Canes have taken their first loss at home during the postseason I’m curious to see how they respond. Also the Panthers scored twice on the powerplay and the Canes had allowed only 2 of them during all of the playoffs.
The Panthers looked great and the Canes now will have to try and get home ice back which is going to be tough.
Panthers win incl OT
Graeme: Ooof – Carolina, what was that? The thing is the metrics were solid for the Canes, and they overall played well. Freddie just completely shit the bed after looking good all playoffs, and Bob did his job.
So nothing has really changed from my original series opinion. The Canes have the goaltending. If that fails, they usually have the offense to make up for it. They created a lot of chances against Florida but just couldn’t score enough to make up for it. It happens.
I’m fine going back to Carolina here based on that last game. Although I don’t know if there is actually any VALUE in it – it may be an -EV play actually – but hey it is what it is.
However this is a critical game for them with the ECF hoodoo flying over them. If they don’t get this one in the bag – they’re in deep, deep, trouble as Bart Simpson would say. Man how is that for a “show my age” reference. I remember being so jealous of my friends in school who knew every word to Do the Bartman. My brain just doesn’t function that way – I spent hours and hours trying to learn it, to no avail.
That’s the same stupid brain that’s going with the clearly -EV Canes incl OT.
can’t stand outcomes like both game 1’s in the conference finals. Oilers kind of did it to themselves, although I did not see if penalties’ calls in 3rd were legit or shit. I walked away as well, as I am sick and figured they were playing so well, they had it. I went to sleep
Hopefully Canes are awake and ready for this one… Andersen, like really? Really? 19 SOG?? 5 goals
Even after that game, the metrics are still massively in Canes favour …. Its just ,,,,, i don’t know. I hate the Panthers so I am betting purely on Data and hate for Panthers…
the Canes moneyline as well!!
Lean: Full game OVER 5.0
Not picking a side or any props. Carolina is still struggling to score. If Carolina doesn’t have a list of players with serious play-through injuries or the flu, to explain their slack showing last game, it’s therefore hopeless; they are going to be swept easily. Betting Game 3 of this series should be a lot clearer to see. I’m not saying I think Florida is great, I don’t think they are, I think they’ve been playing pretender teams and coasting through the playoffs. Both the Oilers and Stars can sweep Florida, presuming they stay out of the penalty box and stay healthy.
Oilers inexplicably collapsed in the 3rd period yesterday, after dominating play for two solid periods. I didn’t think it was so much Skinner, but the entire Oilers effort that lost it’s focus and resolve. I expect we’ll see a full recovery effort out of the Oilers, they’ve done it all year.