“It was honest, tough, and fast:” game one exemplifies the series potential

There’s no way the Edmonton Oilers, being so close to the Stanley Cup they could kiss it, would give up game one in their own barn to the rattiest team in the NHL.

For about two periods there, it looked like they would.

It looked like two unnecessary goals given up by Stuart Skinner and three total for the Florida Panthers would dig the Oilers’ grave so deep, they wouldn’t be able to win one game, let alone four.

Instead, Leon Draisaitl had his own mantra for the series opener, and it read something like this:

I solemly swear on Connor McDavid’s life (which means more to me than my own) that I will score the first goal, last goal, and play a hockey game in between. And if need be, make more hits than 13 players for the Panthers so everyone wonders, ‘Jeez, since when did Draisaitl get so aggressive?’

Since he had to play the Panthers without Zach Hyman, that’s when.

“They bring a different challenge than the rounds prior,” said Draisaitl post-game. “Every team has their identity. Every team plays their own style, and obviously, they’re an aggressive team (50 total hits, and at least one to every player).

“They’re in your face. That’s what makes them who they are, and we got to find a way to beat that. And I thought it was pretty evenly played game.”

Paul Maurice would agree with Drasaitl, saying that game one was “honest, tough, (and) fast” and perfectly exemplified the type of Finals we’re all in for.

“This could be a seven-gamer,” continued Maurice.

It sure looks like it.

It looks like the Oilers and Panthers play a desperate, fast, and unregulated brand of hockey that is slightly too similar to be a sweep or anything resembling one, no matter who won game one.

Does momentum matter? Yes.

Does the winner of game one matter? As much as a 1-0 playoff lead does?

Does a one-goal game settled with about a minute left in overtime on the power play because Tomas Nosek accidentally sent one over the glass, really describe who’s got the edge in this series? I’ll leave it up to hockey fans to decide.

While you’re pondering this significant hypothetical question, allow yourself to consider this as well: an NHL team does not make it this far into the postseason without standardizing the ways they can play one game and adapt to another. Nor to does a Stanley Final coach try to force it.

“You could look at every single play and area of the game,” explained Knoblauch. “What do they do in this situation? What do they do here? What does this line do? And really, that information is good, but how much can you use it? How much can you apply in the game?

“You’re giving the players more of a detriment because it’s information overload. It’s important that players have the bare minimum. What do they need to know to play their best? And if you’re giving them so much information, the game’s not easy to play. It’s not free.”

And while that was a lovely sentiment by Knoblauch, it also means one thing—the games are unlikely to change from here on out.

Expect more comeback wins from the Oilers because no lead is safe when they’re pushing the puck down the ice.

Expect more Sam Bannet goals because he just set a franchise record for most goals in the postseason.

And expect more Draisaitl over time winners because it’s what he does, even if he won’t recognize it.

“I’m standing over there watching this whole thing unfold, and I’m the beneficiary, but the work is done way before that,” added Draisaitl as he thanked his teammates for putting the puck on his stick. “It’s four really good plays in a row.”

And it’ll continue to be several more really great plays as the Oilers and Panthers continue down the road they’ve settled at Rogers Place.