Panthers-Oilers Game 3 takeaways, early look at Game 4

Ryan S. Clark

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Ryan S. Clark

NHL reporterRyan S. Clark is an NHL reporter for ESPN.

Kristen Shilton

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Kristen Shilton

ESPN NHL reporterKristen Shilton is a national NHL reporter for ESPN.Jun 13, 2024, 11:35 PM ET

The scene changed for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, but the end result was a similar one to Games 1 and 2, as the Florida Panthers beat the Edmonton Oilers 4-3, and are now one win away from the franchise’s first championship.

After Florida opened the scoring in the first, Edmonton tied the game at one, followed by three straight tallies by the Panthers. The Oilers got within a goal with about five minutes left, but thanks to some clutch defensive play and saves by Sergei Bobrovsky, the hosts could not get the equalizer.

Here are our grades for both teams, along with takeaways that stuck out the most, key players to watch for Game 4, and the big questions left unanswered prior to Saturday night’s potential Cup-clincher (8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN+).

Panthers grade: A-

Florida came dangerously close to letting Game 4 slip away.

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The Panthers let Edmonton chip away at their 4-1 third period lead until it was an almost uncomfortable one-goal win — protected primarily by Sergei Bobrovsky’s save on Ryan McLeod in the dying minutes of a frantic third period.

But that final score is all that matters; Florida is now a single victory away from the franchise’s first championship.

It wouldn’t be the case if not for a fantastic performance (again) by Bobrovsky, an all-in effort from Florida’s entire lineup and a penalty kill that’s continued to hold the Oilers’ vaunted power pay at bay. Even while Edmonton clawed their way back, it never felt like the Panthers were panicked, though. There is something about this team that allows them to remain calm even when circumstances begin to feel dire. It’s a superpower Florida will try to wield again when they attempt to raise the Cup with a win in Game 4.

Oilers grade: C-

Even with their late third-period push,…

Source link : https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/40342903/nhl-playoffs-2024-stanley-cup-final-panthers-oilers-game-3-grades

Author : Ryan S. Clark and Kristen Shilton

Publish date : 2024-06-14 04:44:56

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