With the series between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers finally set to begin on Wednesday, let’s talk about some of the things shaping what should be an unbelievable Stanley Cup Final.
The Paul Maurice departure in December 2021
I know two things about this event for sure: it was weird as hell, and Paul Maurice will never be entirely forthright about why he left the Jets, mostly because it would probably involve saying some hard truths about some of the guys that played for him.
But that point aside, has a person’s very public monumental life decision ever been so handsomely rewarded as this one? What a career fork in the road. Maurice was almost 30 years into his coaching career, which included a year in the KHL, and his lasting reputation might have been that of a good coach who couldn’t get a team over the hump.
Then he goes to Florida, and three Cup Final appearances later, the man will go down in history as one of the NHL’s most revered leaders, a competitor and a great wit who knew how to navigate the ups and downs of a season.
If Maurice never leaves Winnipeg and has a couple more playoff failures along the way, he’d have been discussed in a class of many recycled coaches who made good money but never actually got the job done. Alas, he left, he won and now he’s perceived as something else entirely.
The Cats’ post-Maurice glow-up
The year before Paul Maurice took over the Panthers, they were an offensive dynamo. In 2021-22 they finished first in goals per game, and 12th in goals against per game. With Maurice at the helm in 2023-24, the Panthers finished first in goals against per game, and 11th in goals per game.
He flipped the script, and made the other thing the priority.
I have forever believed that the teams who win the most are the teams with ample natural offensive talent who buy in and play defence. There’s talent all over the NHL. And playing defence can stifle your personal offence. But it’s winning hockey for a group.
Which brings us to our next point.
McDavid and Draisaitl as two-way guys
On Real Kyper and Bourne Tuesday, Steve Valiquette — who owns Clear Site Analytics — talked about the statistical difference in Connor McDavid’s defensive game. He talked about him cutting down the high-danger chances against compared to an earlier version of himself, which you can listen to here:
He also mentioned McDavid was on the ice for three rush chances against in the five games versus Dallas, which is incredible given the minutes and competition he faces.
To go with this, Leon Draisaitl finished sixth in Selke Trophy voting this past season, a testament to a much stronger commitment to that portion of the ice compared to earlier versions of himself.
Pure offensive talents, switching up their focus like Maurice did for Florida.
It’s funny, isn’t it? Every talented young superstar comes in the league and wants to get their points to prove their worth, wants to show what they can do, and that often includes how they think they’re so offensively gifted that they don’t actually have to do the hard defensive stuff that others are supposed to do.
There are no exceptions to this rule when it comes to leading a team to the Cup.
The mature ones who want to win badly learn that they do need to make that commitment, that sacrifice, and so they lean in on defence, and their teams win. And then they end up with reputations befitting those intelligent changes, a la Steve Yzerman.
While we’re talking about Valiquette…
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Watch the Stanley Cup Final on Sportsnet
With the Stanley Cup within reach, the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers are set to battle once again for hockey’s ultimate prize. Watch every game of the Final on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
If styles make fights, Oilers could get the TKO
During that same segment, Vally turned us on to the superb play of Sergei Bobrovsky, noting that the goalie only has a couple weak spots by his metrics. This past season he was second-last in breakaway save percentage and he’s struggled with shots that have come off east-west passes.
Well, guess what: The Oilers can create breakaways and they can sure as hell move the puck east-west. They have already shown they can take the very best defensive teams and have them tripping on their skate laces by the middle of the series, so there’s no reason to believe they can’t do it to Florida.
Also helpful: Stuart Skinner’s worst part of his game, according to those numbers, is off the rush, and in the playoffs the Oilers have been superb at limiting rush chances against. That will need to be a crucial area of focus to limit Florida’s chances to run up the score.
I’m guessing you’re going to see a lot of passive, risk-averse F3s in the offensive zone in this series.
McDavid and the Oilers’ last laugh
There was indeed a time after the Oilers drafted McDavid, that many people said, “Oh no, don’t let the Oilers ruin future-national-treasure McDavid the way they’ve squandered previous No. 1 picks.” You’ll recall, when he was picked, they hadn’t exactly caught fire after having other first-rounders added to their roster, and there was real concern we weren’t going to get to see his greatness in games of consequence. Many people — myself included at one time — wanted to see him leave what looked like a foundering ship and go somewhere he could at least play in meaningful games.
Now, we get back-to-back playoff years with McDavid in the Stanley Cup Final, and all is right in the hockey world. The Oilers managed to steady the ship, build around him and go from just “decent” to a team with a top gear few others can match. Canadian hockey fans — not just Oilers fans — get to see him where his talents deserve to be showcased. And the league gets its marquee superstar in the season’s biggest moments.
So yeah, I’d say win or lose, the McDavid situation calls for a victory lap all around. He’s right where he’s supposed to be.
And finally,
So much rest should make for a good Final
By now it’s a commonly accepted truth: The best hockey of the Stanley Cup Playoffs is Round 1, because teams are fully rested, injuries are fewest and excitement is highest. It’s pure chaos. By the end, teams are usually running on fumes, limping in and having a one-legged kick-off to see who can remain standing.
Zach Hyman’s injury is a big blow for the Oilers, but beyond that, these teams have had nearly a week to rest and prep for a rematch of last year. Other big names are healthy and able, and so I expect to see a really high-paced, excellent series.
Even the spacing — once the series begins — often has an extra day of rest, so as painful as the waiting has been, I expect the hockey to be great.
So there we have it: another chance for a team to bring the Cup back to Canada. A chance to get McDavid what many have long believed he’s got coming. And a whole lot of excitement ahead for hockey fans still tuned into the chase for the Stanley Cup. Lord knows I will be.
Coverage starts on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ at 7:30 p.m. ET tonight, see ya there.
