The next game is always the most important, blah blah blah.
It’s what most hockey players say as a response when asked to examine the importance of certain playoff games in comparison to others.
That or I’m trying not to look too far ahead.
Normally, us reporters wouldn’t quote it, because, well, it’s boring.
But in this case, I’d venture to say it’s the truth.
With a tied series and a game apiece for the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers in Rogers Place, momentum has become a funny thing.
Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch has repeatedly told the media that he doesn’t believe momentum carries over from game to game or series to series, that everything resets as soon as the players’ head hits their pillow.
OK, that’s one way to look at it.
The other is that the last time the Panthers, and Brad Marchand in particular, scored an overtime winner, they doubled down on their identity and embarrassed the Toronto Maple Leafs in a series so bad, Brad Treveiling plans to perform major surgery on his team that gave up a 2-0 series lead.
Embarrassed indeed.
Best not to repeat the Leafs’ mistakes.
And lest the Oilers wish to feed the Panthers’ momentum and become another logo on their playoff towels, Knoblauch might have to accept that for the Cats, momentum keeps them going.
That’s not to say the Oilers need a sweep in Florida, though it wouldn’t hurt, but game three is proving to be a lot more must-win than game four ever could.
Return to the scene of the crime (the dreaded game seven), kill Florida’s momentum, and take another series lead.
Or, give the Panthers two wins in a row and watch how quickly it becomes three, or worse, four.
“We’re not deterred by hostile environments or tough places to play,” explained Evander Kane prior to morning skate. “We wanna take the game to the other team. That hasn’t really changed in the playoffs.
“In order to win in the playoffs, you have to be able to win on the road.”
Something like a game five win against the Vegas Golden Knights in T-Mobile Arena? Or a Western Conference final at American Airlines Center?
Yah, something like that.
“I’m sure they were saying the same thing in Edmonton,” added Kane. “They wanna come out and ruin their night, and we’re looking to ruin Florida’s night tonight.”
It all comes down to lines.
Lines, lines, lines: if we say it enough, maybe we’ll figure out the Oilers’.
Demanding a game-three win in Sunrise, Florida, is a tough enough ask when first-line winger Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is healthy, let alone a game-time decision per Knoblauch.
Add in that Florida’s AJ Greer is set to return from a lower-body injury, and all of a sudden, the scale of game threes odds looks as Red as the Panthers’ jerseys.
Is it gamesmanship on behalf of the Oilers? Possibly.
The last time the Oilers declared someone a game-time decision—Connor Brown—he game into game one and helped the Oilers find their first Stanley Cup final lead this century.
Or, is Nugent-Hopkins too injured to be of any real use despite attending morning skate?
If yes, then prepare for Jeff Skinner to jump in beside Connor McDavid, and hopefully, do what he did the last time he was needed.
Not win the Western Conference final.
Possibly score a goal.
But hopefully play a fast game en route to an Oilers win.
And with that, Oilers Nation breathed.
“If I’m not in, then there’s nothing to worry about,” added Skinner quickly after morning skate. “But (I’ll) just prepare like I’m in and we’ll see if Nuggy’s good to go.”
“If he’s playing tonight, I’ll have confidence that he’ll give us a good game,” added Knoblauch.
Perhaps Skinner’s addition to the first line (?) could work similarly to Kasperi Kapanen’s role on the second with Leon Draisaitl.
A supportive role that adds more value than anyone thought possible.
It’s a reach, but so was a Stanley Cup Final trip for the Oilers three months ago.
Skinner doesn’t have the same finesse on the penalty kill as seen by Nugent-Hopkins. But he’s fast enough, and hopefully durable enough, to handle the physicality of the Panthers.
Because they too, understand the importance of winning game three as much as the Oilers.
It’s not a winner-takes-all situation, but it could be very quickly.
Edmonton Oilers expected lines
RNH/J. Skinner – McDavid – Perry
Kane – Draisaitl – Kapanen
Frederic – Henrique – Brown
Podkolzin – Janmark – Arvidsson
Nurse – Bouchard
Kulak – Walman
Ekholm – Klingberg
S. Skinner
Pickard
RNH will take pre-game skate, at which point, the Oilers will decide if he plays.
