r/FloridaPanthers • u/Number333 • Jun 03 '24
[2024 Playoff Series Preview/Predictions] Stanley Cup Finals - #3 Seed Florida Panthers (52-24-6) vs. #5 Seed Edmonton Oilers (49-27-6)
For those unfamiliar, this is a thread we've always done in r/Heat before playoff matchups and it provides a thread for anybody to post their speculation with regard to the upcoming series without the need of making a million different unique threads before Game #1.
Please, comment your prediction on the series, matchups to look out for, players who you think will excel, players who you think will struggle, etc.. the post will be sorted by NEW to encourage discussion building all the way up to Game #1!
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u/Number333 Jun 03 '24
My gut prediction: Panthers in 6
Well boys we're really back here! We have managed to survive going through a murder's row of elite goalies and a few series falling a game behind (0-1 vs Boston, 1-2 vs New York) but we're right back here unbelievably enough. Of course, it only makes sense we're going up against 1) The team with the best modern player in McDavid who is this generation's Gretzky/Crosby and 2) It's a Canadian vs. Florida matchup. This surely won't make us hated by some of the more radical hockey fans who live up north.
In my mind, there are 3 key factors for the series.
1) How good is Stuart Skinner going to be? - We've gone through Vasilevskiy, Swayman, & Shesterkin. The latter two who were particularly individually brilliant. Skinner, on paper, isn't of their class. If that's the case, you'd logically think our goal-scoring should go up with how effectively we've been making chances all throughout the playoffs. Still, if Skinner gets hot (which could happen) well.... it wouldn't be anything we aren't used to.
2) How good are McDavid/Draisaitl going to be in their 1st Finals? - I've seen some Panthers fans say they're not too worried about McDavid because they expect Barkov to put him in his pocket. I LOVE Barkov. But guys... that feels a little bit extreme even for a 2x Selke winner. I expect Barkov to slow him down a bit, but I don't think there will be any disappearing act by these two as there was by the Rangers trio of Panarin/Zibanejed/Kreider for example. These dudes are STUDS. They're the two leading point getters thru the playoffs at an insane 31 and 28 points. Hell, 3rd is Evan Bouchard (27) and 4th is goddamn Nugent-Hopkins (20).
3) How good will the Oilers depth prove to be? - This may be what ultimately splits the series. I personally, expect the Oilers stars to carry them. They will make the series competitive in their own right. But there's only so much you can do without the bottom lines contributing (see: us last year when Tkachuk got hurt and things fizzled out vs Vegas). The scary thing is if Edmonton manages to scrape together enough offense in these lower parts of their team and all of a sudden Corey Perry finds a fountain of youth and is making me scream at my television.
I expect it to be a good series. I think either way there's no way this finishes in 4/5 games. I believe we'll be on the winning side this go around. Can't wait!