At gut-check time, what separates the Oilers from the Leafs and Jets?
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When you're a goalie who has a couple of bad playoff starts in a row, loses the starting job and the entire world seems like it's crashing down on you, how do you not curl up in a ball and wait for the noise to stop?
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When you're down by two goals, half a period away from falling behind 3-1 in your series with the L.A. Kings, how do you not get flustered and let it all slip away?
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The Oilers scored twice in the third period to tie it, won it in overtime and didn't lose another game to the Kings.
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Edmonton outshot the Knights 15-5 in the first period of Game 4, took a 2-0 lead and didn't allow another Vegas goal the rest of the series.
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When people talk about a playoff-hardened hockey team, this is what they mean.
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Back in the Western Conference Final for the third time in four years, the Oilers have evolved from the young, inexperienced lions of the past into the scarred, battled-tested team you see today.
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'We have that maturity level,' said Skinner, who's become a poster-boy for mental toughness. 'We've been here before, we know what to do, we know what to expect. Whatever comes your way, there is a lot less chance of you getting rattled.'
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The Oilers kept their calm and pushed through the aforementioned adversity because they've seen it all before. Skinner lost the job last year and recovered wonderfully, so he knew he could do it again. So did his teammates.
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The Oilers trailed in games, and in series, last year, and the year before, and the year before, so they know what formula works and what doesn't.
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When you come back from 3-0 down in the Stanley Cup Final to force a Game 7, there isn't much anyone can throw at you that's going to weaken your knees.
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'Experience has so much to do with going forward and being able to find ways to win,' said Skinner. 'We have a veteran team, guys who've won the Cup, guys who've been to the finals, guys who've played a long time. It gives us a huge advantage.'
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The Oilers were on the other side of the composure scale back in the early days of this group's evolution. They were the Winnipeg Jets and Toronto Maple Leafs all rolled into one — rock stars in the regular season, raising everyone's expectations for the playoffs, and getting mowed down in the first round in back-to-back years.
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CTV News
4 hours ago
- CTV News
Experts expect close, intense Game 4 of Stanley Cup Final after Oilers' Game 3 meltdown
The Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers had 140 penalty minutes in Monday night's Stanley Cup Final game. Nicole Weisberg reports on the "penalty chaos." You know that messy, penalty-filled and seemingly unhinged third period of Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final on Monday night? The one in which several Edmonton Oilers players fought their Florida Panthers rivals in a good, old-fashioned line brawl, took a bazillion penalties which saw a bunch of them ejected from the eventual 6-1 Panthers win to put them up two games to one? It's a good thing, Oilers fans. The whole thing bodes well for the team and for hopes of a close, intense battle in Thursday's Game 4, say a former Oiler and a sports psychologist. 'If you lose a game, it's better to lose 6-1 than a close one, because the way that (the Oilers) lost, they're going to be so upset about it that they're going to respond much stronger than (if it was) a close game,' Georges Laraque – who played seven seasons for them, including the 2005-06 campaign that saw them make a run to Game 7 of the Cup final, and who remains a fan favourite – told CTV News Edmonton on Tuesday. Oilers practice Edmonton Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse, left, looks up ice during practice at the NHL Stanley Cup final in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Nathan Denette/THE CANADIAN PRESS) 'Big Georges,' now a radio show host in Montreal who often returns to Edmonton, said he expects Game 4 to be close and that the Oilers will play much more disciplined than in the penalty-filled Game 3, in which the Oilers took 85 minutes in penalties and gave the Panthers 11 power plays, three of which led to Florida goals. What Laraque saw on Monday late in the game, when five Oilers received misconducts and were ejected from the rest of the game, was a team collectively preparing mentally for the next one. Panthers vs. Oilers Linesman Trent Knorr gets between Florida Panthers' Sam Bennett (top) and Edmonton Oilers' Trent Frederic during the third period in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final in Sunrise, Fla., on Monday, June 9, 2025. (Nathan Denette/THE CANADIAN PRESS) 'If it's a close game ... you're not going to see that because it's a one-goal game, but often in the playoffs, if a game is getting out of hand like it was (Monday), then at the end of the game, things will always happen,' he said. 'It's just to show that, 'You know what? We care, and we're going to come back strong.'' Ben Sereda, a PhD candidate in the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport and Recreation at the University of Alberta in the area of sport and performance psychology, said Tuesday the way in which the Oilers lost, featuring a lopsided score and several penalties, can be used to their advantage, 'whether that's anger, whether that's frustration, that extra little drive, that extra little bit of fuel that can be used to sharpen focus, to be more disciplined, but also give your body that extra little step.' 'I really saw ... (a) deep investment that was reflected,' Sereda told CTV News Edmonton. 'They are experiencing such a high level of emotion because they care so much.' Panthers vs. Oilers Florida Panthers' Carter Verhaeghe (23) scores on Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner (74) as Evan Bouchard (2) defends during the first period in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final in Sunrise, Fla., on Monday, June 9, 2025. (Nathan Denette/THE CANADIAN PRESS) He said one of the keys to Game 4 for Edmonton is that they have a significant amount of experience coming back from adversity in the playoffs. This year, the Oilers overcame a two-games-to-none deficit to beat the Los Angeles Kings in the first round of the post-season. Last year, they faced elimination by the Vancouver Canucks but won the final two games of their best-of-seven second-round series to win it. And, also last year, they tried to pull off the near-impossible – come back from being down three games to none in the Stanley Cup Final against these same Panthers – and ended up short by one game. 'If it's a close game ... you're not going to see that because it's a one-goal game, but often in the playoffs, if a game is getting out of hand like it was (Monday), then at the end of the game, things will always happen.' — Georges Laraque 'They've been through, even in this series, really tough losses,' Sereda said. 'With that in mind, and thinking back to the past few rounds, to past years, they've been able to bounce back. They've proven to themselves that they can effectively do it ... 'Drawing on that experience and hopefully having a little bit more distance from (Monday's) game will hopefully allow them to prepare more objectively and effectively.' Laraque, Toskala, Georges San Jose Sharks goalie Vesa Toskala (left) watches the puck as teammate Josh Georges gets knocked over by Edmonton Oilers Georges Laraque (right) during first period NHL Western Conference semi-final action in Edmonton Friday May 12, 2006. (Chuck Stoody/The Canadian Press) Laraque said 'it's crucial' the Oilers win Game 4 in Sunrise, Fla., and expects they will. 'They're going to be disciplined, and they'll do everything to come back with the win,' he said. '(For) Game 4, knowing how important that it is, I think the Oilers will raise their level of play, and they have a really good road record in the playoffs this year. 'They know what they have to do.' With files from CTV News Edmonton's Nicole Weisberg
Globe and Mail
5 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
Now with Panthers, Brad Marchand embraces team's rat-throwing tradition
There's a giant, gold-outlined rat emblazoned on the hat that dangles in Brad Marchand's locker. The scrappy NHL veteran has been likened to the tiny rodent for much of his career, notoriously known as 'The Rat' among hockey fans for his brash play. So when Marchand was traded from Boston to Florida back in March, it didn't take long for him to embrace Panthers fans' long-standing tradition of tossing plastic rats onto the ice after wins. 'I hope we get some rats thrown at us,' Marchand quipped at his locker on Sunday, before Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. 'I just hope it's on the ice and not outside.' Marchand got his wish. After the Panthers routed the Edmonton Oilers 6-1 on Monday, those unmistakable grey pests rained down on the ice in a tradition that has lasted three decades. As they've done after most games this postseason, Marchand's teammates fired the rats at his legs before exiting the ice. For Marchand, getting the rats thrown at him is like a badge of honour – a tiny, symbolic moment that represents how the Panthers have been able to keep things lighthearted while going for their second straight championship. 'This group has a ton of fun,' Marchand said. 'It's an incredible environment to be a part of. In the room, on the ice, even just in the city, there's a lot of excitement around right now.' Rat-throwing tradition goes back 30 years Before their 1995-96 season opener, Panthers players were waiting to take the ice in a cramped, makeshift dressing room at the now-demolished Miami Arena when a large rat scampered in. 'Players were jumping on top of their stalls … big, tough hockey players,' said Billy Lindsay, Panthers left wing from their expansion season in 1993 to 1999, 'most of us were pretty scared of this big rat running around. We were ducking for cover everywhere.' Right wing Scott Mellanby then grabbed his stick and one-timed the rat into the wall. The rodent went flying across the dressing room. It died as soon as it hit the wall. Players later memorialized it by circling the small dent in the blood-stained wall and placing a rat statue there for the year. The Panthers went out and beat the Calgary Flames 4-3 that night. Mellanby scored a pair of goals with that same stick. 'Scott Mellanby didn't even have time to really tape his stick,' Lindsay said. 'So he's got a little rat and blood there on his stick and went out there and scored a couple of goals.' In his postgame news conference, goalie John Vanbiesbrouck noted that Mellanby had the NHL's first 'rat trick.' The incident was in the local paper the next day. About a week or so later, a toy rat hit the ice after a home game. The next game, there were a couple more. By the end of that season, which included Lindsay scoring the game-winning goal that clinched Florida's first-ever playoff series win, the rat throwing had become such a phenomenon that the team earned a sponsorship from the pest control company Orkin. 'And funny enough, it's still around today,' Lindsay said, 'which is quite strange.' 'It's a feeling you can't replicate' Sports traditions are ubiquitous. Some are sacred. Many are quirky. And they can include just about anything. There's the Lambeau Leap at Green Bay Packers games. The 'Gatorade Bath' after a win in the NFL. LeBron James' patented pregame chalk toss. Detroit Red Wings fans occasionally celebrate wins by throwing octopuses on the ice. The Nashville Predators have their catfish toss. For the Panthers, who at the time were in just their third season as an NHL franchise, the rat throwing – buoyed by the fact that Florida made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final that year – became the first real way they got the South Florida fans in a non-traditional hockey market to embrace their team. Colin Fox, 32, a Panthers fan from Boca Raton, Fla., said it's 'a thrill' to be a part of the rat throwing at the end of games. 'Even when they weren't very good, when they weren't on these hot streaks, there were still rats on the ice,' said Fox, who wore a throwback Mellanby jersey to Game 3 of the final. 'It's something that has persevered through the years.' For opposing teams, the rats are often a nuisance, Lindsay said, recalling how some goalies would hide in their net between goals to try and escape them. So many hit the ice after that initial season the NHL changed its rules to say such in-game celebrations could lead to penalties, though the league still allowed rats to be thrown after games. There's plenty of rat-themed memorabilia for sale at Panthers games, and the plastic rodents themselves can be purchased all over Miami. At gas stations. Party stores. Some fans order them online. The rats that Panthers fan JP Kirkpatrick, 23, tossed onto the ice after a game this season came from a fan sitting next to him who brought plenty of extras. 'It's a feeling you can't replicate,' said Kirkpatrick, an Orlando, Fla., native. 'It's something you can't get [anywhere else]. You've got to be there to get it. You can't watch it on TV. You can't get it in the parking lot. You've got to be out there, be in the seat. The fans, everybody there, it's electric.' No one from that 1995 Panthers group thought they'd be a part of creating a lasting, iconic symbol for the team, but as they look back on that moment amid all the Panthers' recent success, they're proud of what it's become. 'There's been enough people from back then to hang on to the tradition and pass it along,' Lindsay said. 'And now you get this unparalleled success where you get three Stanley Cup appearances in a row, you win a Stanley Cup championship, you're looking for a second. And that rat is just [still] going. 'It just makes me proud of what we started.'
The Province
6 hours ago
- The Province
Who won the hockey game last night? 'It was a weird game', McDavid says as Oilers unravel
Edmonton Oilers are now chasing the Stanley Cup Final Published Jun 10, 2025 • Last updated 3 hours ago • 3 minute read Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers plays the puck along the boards against the Florida Panthers during the third period in Game Three of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 09, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida. Photo by Steph Chambers / Getty Images Falling behind early, parading to the penalty box and losing grip of their composure, the Edmonton Oilers find themselves in an all-too-familiar position: trailing the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Not much went right for them in Game 3 on Monday night, a 6-1 blowout loss that put them down 2-1 in the series after taking the opener at home. Many of their 85 penalty minutes, the most by a team in the final in nearly four decades, came in garbage time, but there is far more concern about the mistakes that piled up to put them in a hole. Corey Perry #90 of the Edmonton Oilers scores on Sergei Bobrovsky #72 of the Florida Panthers during the second period in Game Three of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 09, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida. Photo by Bruce Bennett / Getty Images 'We didn't play very well,' said Evander Kane, who was whistled for two of his three minor penalties in a miserable first period and got a misconduct late. 'That's evident. We have nobody to blame but ourselves. We can definitely be a lot better.' Stuart Skinner got pulled after allowing five goals on 23 shots, but captain Connor McDavid acknowledged, 'I don't know how much we're going to put on Stu.' The play in front of him was disjointed and disconnected, at 5 on 5, on the power play and on the penalty kill. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. If not for Skinner, the score could have gotten out of hand much earlier because the Western Conference champions had their worst showing since perhaps the first couple of games of the playoffs. Edmonton Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse (25) and Florida Panthers winger Jonah Gadjovich (12) fight during the third period in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final in Sunrise, Fla., on Monday, June 9, 2025. Photo by Nathan Denette / THE CANADIAN PRESS 'It was a weird game,' McDavid said. 'Obviously it wasn't our best — not our best at all. I don't think our best has shown up all series long. But it's coming. We'll shift the focus to finding a way to get a win in Game 4.' Even with an extra day off before Game 4 on Thursday night, coach Kris Knoblauch scheduled practice for his team Tuesday afternoon. There is much to discuss and work on. 'Collectively, goaltender, defense, all our forwards, we all have to be better,' Knoblauch said. 'They played a heck of a game, and we're going to have to raise ours.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Being more disciplined is a good place to start. Jake Walman #96 of the Edmonton Oilers and Brad Marchand #63 of the Florida Panthers exchange blows as linesman Scott Cherrey #50 breaks them up during the second period in Game Three of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 09, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida. Photo by Steph Chambers / Getty Images After giving up a goal to Brad Marchand 56 seconds in, Edmonton took four minor penalties in the first period. The dam eventually broke on a power-play goal that made it too tough a deficit to overcome. 'Almost half the period you're killing, so it's not a good way to get into your game,' McDavid said. 'Never got to our game.' The Oilers' play was almost indistinguishable from how they've looked for much of this run, getting balanced scoring and star performances from McDavid and Draisaitl. Ill-timed defensive breakdowns proved costly, and guys lost their cool — like Jake Walman squirting water at Panthers players on their bench from his place on the visiting side. 'I obviously did that for a reason,' Walman said, reluctant to explain why. 'It's just gamesmanship, I guess.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. By the time brawls ensued in the third period, the game was out of hand. Players downplayed the margin of defeat, quick to try to spin their thoughts forward to what they need to do to tie the final. Carter Verhaeghe #23 of the Florida Panthers celebrates after his first period goal against the Edmonton Oilers in Game Three of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 09, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida. Photo by Steph Chambers / Getty Images 'We know what we're going to be up against,' Skinner said. 'It doesn't change how we're going to respond again. We've got two days to come back and I think there's some things that we're going to have to change.' That could mean lineup changes and certainly some major adjustments by Knoblauch and his staff. The Oilers also need to be better prepared to play in Game 4, perhaps channeling the pain from back-to-back losses. 'Losing in the playoffs, whether it's in round 1 Game 1 or the Stanley Cup Final, it's never a good feeling, but we've been here before,' Kane said. 'We've been down in series before, and we've had tough losses. It will sting right now and we'll flush it tomorrow and get ready for Thursday.' Sergei Bobrovsky #72 of the Florida Panthers looks on after beating the Edmonton Oilers 6-1 in Game Three of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 09, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida. 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