Latest news with #Panthers-OilersFinal
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Don Cherry slams Stanley Cup Final refs after controversial Game 2: 'The worst I've ever seen'
(Elsa/Getty Images) If Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final taught us anything, it's this: the Florida Panthers vs. Edmonton Oilers isn't just a hockey series, it's a full-on warzone. But this time, it wasn't just the players throwing hits. The refs are catching strays, and none louder than the one fired by Don Cherry. The legendary hockey voice called it the 'worst refereed game I've ever seen,' and judging by the internet, he's far from alone. Don Cherry slams Game 2 refs as Oilers fans erupt over Sam Bennett controversy Hockey Night in Canada icon Don Cherry may be off TV these days, but his opinions still slap harder than a playoff check. In a podcast segment, Cherry absolutely torched the refs in Game 2 of the Panthers-Oilers Final, calling their performance 'embarrassing' and 'a joke.' He specifically tore into the refs for letting the game get out of hand, accusing them of being inconsistent and letting too much dirty play slide. For Cherry, who's seen a lot of hockey, this game stood out for all the wrong reasons. The Sam Bennett no-call that's breaking Oilers fans' brains The moment that really sent Edmonton fans into meltdown mode? A blatant-looking interference by Panthers forward Sam Bennett. During a critical sequence, Bennett leveled an Oiler without the puck, a clear violation in most NHL games but the refs just didn't call it. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Up to 35% off at Insotel Punta Prima Insotel Get Offer Undo Cue the chaos. X was instantly flooded with angry breakdowns and fan edits questioning the league's standards. ' Tkachuk patted Bennett for almost injuring Skinner. Florida players get away with too much. Dirty play wins in the game and in life unfortunately.' one fan posted. Another joked, ' The ongoing story of the McDavid era.' Even analysts were stunned the play didn't result in a penalty, especially since it led to a scoring chance moments later. Panthers fans, on the other hand? Silent as the refs' whistles. With Game 3 looming, tensions are sky-high. Will the refs rein it in? Will another Bennett-style hit go ignored? And how long until someone completely loses it on the ice? Also read - 5 things you didn't know about Seth Jones — the Florida Panthers' playoff beast
USA Today
02-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Who will win Stanley Cup? Picks, predictions for Panthers-Oilers Final
Who will win Stanley Cup? Picks, predictions for Panthers-Oilers Final Show Caption Hide Caption Are Edmonton Oilers Stanley Cup bound? Former NHLer weighs in Former NHL winger Riley Cote explains what he loves about this Edmonton Oilers team ahead of the Western Conference Finals. Sports Seriously The Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers are meeting for the second year in a row in the Stanley Cup Final. The Panthers won in seven games last season in a seesaw series, but the Oilers will have home-ice advantage this year. Florida defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games, the Toronto Maple Leafs in seven games and the Carolina Hurricanes in five games. The Panthers lost the first two games against Toronto before rallying. Edmonton defeated the Los Angeles Kings in six games, the Vegas Golden Knights in five games and the Dallas Stars in five games. The Oilers lost the first two games against the Kings before rallying. Who will win this year's championship and the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP? USA TODAY Sports' Jason Anderson, Mike Brehm and Jace Evans weigh in. Stanley Cup Final predictions Jason Anderson: Oilers in 7. If, when the playoffs began, you told me we'd see a Stanley Cup rematch, this prediction would have probably been Panthers in five or six. Florida has talent on all lines, Sergei Bobrovsky is Sergei Bobrovsky and they have the edge in terms of being fine-tuned for playoff hockey. However, there's something to the Oilers right now that goes beyond "they're the team that has Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl." Edmonton held the Dallas Stars to 17 shots in an elimination game, showing top-to-bottom poise, and Mattias Ekholm came back back to bolster the defense as well. This Panthers team will be back, but for the first time since 1993, the Cup is heading to Canada. Conn Smythe winner: McDavid, Oilers Mike Brehm: Panthers in 6. The Oilers are better than they were last season, but the Panthers are also deeper than in 2024. They lack home-ice advantage for a fourth consecutive round, but they've done well without it, scoring five or more goals in their last five road games. As well as the Oilers are locking it down defensively, the Panthers' hard-forechecking style can force a team into mistakes. Looking back, my preseason pick for the Stanley Cup champion was the Oilers. I won't be surprised if they win, but Florida should become a repeat champion. Conn Smythe winner: Aleksander Barkov, Panthers Jace Evans: Oilers in 6. The Panthers are basically a perfect playoff team, so it won't be surprising if they repeat. But Edmonton has the two best players in this series in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl and I remain steadfast in my belief they will lead the Oilers to a championship. Still, the Oilers no longer rely just on them. The depth has come through these playoffs – though losing Zach Hyman hurts – and, even more important, the Oilers have shown incredible shutdown ability. That defensive play (that in theory could even improve with Mattias Ekholm back) will be the difference. Conn Smythe winner: Draisaitl, Oilers Stanley Cup Final schedule All times Eastern; (x-if necessary) Game 1: Wednesday, June 4 | Florida at Edmonton | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV Wednesday, June 4 | Florida at Edmonton | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV Game 2: Friday, June 6 | Florida at Edmonton | 8 p.m | TNT, truTV Friday, June 6 | Florida at Edmonton | 8 p.m | TNT, truTV Game 3: Monday, June 9, Edmonton at Florida | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV Monday, June 9, Edmonton at Florida | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV Game 4: Thursday, June 12, Edmonton at Florida | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV Thursday, June 12, Edmonton at Florida | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV x-Game 5: Saturday, June 14, Florida at Edmonton | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV Saturday, June 14, Florida at Edmonton | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV x-Game 6: Tuesday, June 17, Edmonton at Florida | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV Tuesday, June 17, Edmonton at Florida | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV x-Game 7: Friday, June 20, Florida at Edmonton | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV How to stream Stanley Cup Final Stanley Cup Final games can be streamed on Sling TV and Max.
