The Florida Panthers Shined in Game One of the Stanley Cup Finals

The Florida Panthers Shined in Game One of the Stanley Cup Finals

The wait is over, the Stanley Cup Finals kicked off on Saturday in Sunrise, Florida.

If the first game is any indication of what the rest of the series will be like, it seems that the Edmonton Oilers will face a significant challenge.

The Florida Panthers, led by Sergei Bobrovsky's impeccable goaltending, looked unstoppable. Bobrovsky finished the night defending 32 SAs.

Carter Verhaeghe and Evan Rodrigues, both veterans of the Florida Panthers, scored first, holding a 2-0 lead for the majority of the game.

The game ended 3-0 with Eetu Luostarinen scoring the final goal in the third period with an empty net.

The power-play was defended effectively by both teams, but the Oilers struggled to score due to a lack of creativity and inability to outsmart Bobrovsky.

Veteran Leadership helped the Florida Panthers

Right from the start, the viewer observed a seasoned team in the Florida Panthers that reaped the rewards of their previous appearance in the finals.

Whether it was confidence, experience, or a combination, the Panthers looked to be the more prepared team.

Granted, the home crowd obviously played a role in favoring the Panthers in game one; nevertheless, the entire game appeared to be controlled by the Panthers and Bobrovsky's impressive goaltending.

The Oilers will have to capitalize on future power-play opportunities and ensure they don't fall behind so early in their next match.

With a shaky start, Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner ended the night with a .882 SV%.

If Skinner fails to step up, along with the super-stars of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers won't stand a chance against the Panthers.

The Panthers are clearly in control heading into game two, but anything can happen once McDavid and his team step onto the ice. The second game is scheduled for Monday night in Sunrise, Florida.