Achi news desk-
The Florida Panthers came close but didn’t go up 2-0 in their series on Friday, something the Edmonton Oilers look to do on Saturday night.
Here are five things to know heading into Saturday’s postseason game:
2-0?
Edmonton has a chance to take a 2-0 lead when it visits Dallas on Saturday night.
The Oilers defeated the Stars 3-2 in double overtime on Thursday to take an early lead in their best-of-seven Western Conference final series.
However, Dallas has not been great on home ice this postseason, winning just three of its eight games at American Airlines Center. On the other hand, the Stars have won five of six on the road.
Edmonton may have added motivation to make up for its time in Dallas by taking a 2-0 series lead before looking to defend home ice in Games 3 and 4.
PROTECTION
While the Oilers have long been known for their offensive firepower and prowess on the power play, they have really shown up defensively.
Edmonton is averaging 2.69 goals against in the postseason, while its penalty kill has neutralized 19 straight kills to the tune of a playoff-leading 92.5 percent.
It doesn’t say the Oilers haven’t been the same offensively, however.
Edmonton has scored 49 times – six ahead of Florida and Colorado – to lead the playoffs and owns the power play by clicking a blistering 36.7 percent.
POSSIBLE RETURN?
Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said Adam Henrique (ankle injury) is close to returning.
The veteran center has not played since Edmonton shut out the Los Angeles Kings in Game 5 of the opening round.
However, Knoblauch did not commit to automatically including Henrique in the lineup, even though the Oilers have won three games in a row dating back to the second round against Vancouver.
RESPONSE
The New York Rangers came out and provided the necessary response to avoid an early hole in the Eastern Conference final.
Barclay Goodrow scored the game-winning goal 14:01 into overtime to lift New York to a 2-1 victory and even the best-of-seven series at 1-1.
The Rangers fell 3-0 in the opening game of the series on home ice and now have to focus on winning a split in the Sunshine State, where Games 3 and 4 will be held on Sunday and Tuesday.
HOME VS AWAY
Florida failed to put the pressure on New York to skate on the road.
Now heading home for Games 3 and 4, the Panthers have the ultimate test ahead of them.
Florida has won four of its six home games this postseason, while New York has gone 4-1-0 on the road in the playoffs.
With the series tied at 1-1, the question becomes whether the Panthers will be the ones under further pressure due to the strong road play of the Rangers.
This report was first published by The Canadian Press on May 25, 2024.
