The Florida Panthers have proven their worth, earning back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals appearances.
Their talent is evident, though their ability to win the Cup has yet to become a reality. As a franchise, they are 0-2 in the finals.
The Panthers have a wealth of talent, led by Sam Reinhart, Aleksander Barkov, and Matthew Tkachuk.
Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is one of the best in the league. He has three All-Star appearances on his resume, including one this season.
How can the Florida Panthers outperform the Edmonton Oilers?
Experienced-Veteran Play
First, experience matters. The Panthers, having already made it to the finals, are aware that they need to approach this year in a new way for a different result.
Barkov is the captain, and he must lead the Panthers into battle. The presence of two other superstars makes it even more accessible.
Having acquisitions such as Vladimir Tarasenko also helps. Tarasenko scored a goal in the finale against the New York Rangers. In addition, he has secured a Cup win and has been named an All-Star multiple times.
The Panthers' victory in their final game was achieved thanks to Tarasenko and Sam Bennett.
Head coach Paul Maurice expects his star players to perform, but the team needs to come together on all lines and capitalize on scoring opportunities.
The Panthers made a strategic move by acquiring Tarasenko at the trade deadline, setting them up for the finals.
All attention will be on veteran Sergei Bobrovsky
So far in the playoffs, Bobrovsky has a .908 SV%, defending 415 shots.
In the regular season, his SV% was .915, and he defended 1584 shots.
Bobrovsky looked great.
He will have the challenging task of stopping Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Hockey fans know McDavid has a special gift and is arguably the best hockey player in the world. Stopping him is easier said than done, but it's crucial for victory in game one and winning the Cup.
Bobrovsky's veteran status is an advantage for him. Nonetheless, he will face a test, and the Florida Panthers will depend on their goalie for impeccable defense.
Avoid Penalties and Capitalize on Power Plays
The Edmonton Oilers have dominated power-plays, especially in the postseason.
Likewise, the Oilers shut down the Dallas Stars in every power-play opportunity. In challenging post-season play, every power-play opportunity is crucial and can decide a game or series.
The Oilers have been dominant in both power-play scoring and defending.
To win the series, the Florida Panthers need to convert their power-play opportunities, which the Dallas Stars and Vancouver Canucks failed to do.
Led by Tkachuk's aggressiveness, the Panthers play with toughness and passion. This is a huge advantage that they must capitalize on.
Will the Florida Panthers be able to secure their first Cup victory?
Pay attention to the performances of the veterans, Bobrovsky's goaltending, and the team's power-play scoring. Achieving success in these three areas will make them world champions.