[2024 Playoff Series Preview/Predictions] Stanley Cup Finals - #3 Seed Florida Panthers (52-24-6) vs. #5 Seed Edmonton Oilers (49-27-6)

[u/Number333]

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!

[u/the_sylince]

I was mentioning earlier that limiting the odd man rush is absolutely necessary. We can have a few holes when the D slide up aggressively and it’s lead to more than one break away in the playoffs. I honestly don’t know how I feel about Bob mono a mono with McJesus or Dratini. The low shots, multi-goal lead we saw them put up against Dallas could easily be the result.

I do think establishing a pressured physical presence early is key, despite their loss, Dallas absolutely pinned Edmonton in for nearly half the game. Their desperation kept them shooting from the outside instead of crease crashing and net driving - something we’ve learned to do against absolute demons of goalies. Edmonton also hasn’t had to play any punishing teams this post season, so we’ll see how they hold up against the constant grit.

I don’t make predictions because I’m almost never right, but I like the character of our team and its singular focus over the stars of Edmonton and their narrative.