Here come summery of serie and my prediction for game seven. Note. I do write more on mental things, because i am huge believer on those. I am not tactical nerd, but i like to watch interviews and learn mental effects on games.
Games 1-6
Finals been epic. Today we see game seven and winner takes it all. Many was ready to count Edmonton out even before puck dropp in game one. Most of us non-Edmonton fans was talking about sweep before game 4. I watched all six games, i do think its fair serie to be 3-3. First game Edmonton was better, but Bob stole that game, game 2 Florida was better and in game 3 we did see change when Florida was stronger in first half of the game and then Edmonton did take lead of game and serie, even that they lost game 3. Edmonton was better in game 4 and we was thinking, did Florida lose to win it in home. In game 5 Edmonton was stronger, even that Florida had they moments, but team which prodect lead, is usually giving more chances than team which try to tie game. Game 6 was bad game from Florida and Edmonton was strong.
I think, no matter which team win, McDavid should win Conn Smyth. He has been best player so.
There is still game left, but look like Skinner is outplaying Bobrovsky after all. In my prediction, i did gave minor advange to Skinner. He has been very good in must win situations, when Bob stats on those havent been great. Edmonton had they adversitys in Vancouver serie, where Skinner was searching his game and some Dallas games they was in difficulties too. Florida did beat great teams in run to playoffs, but they didnt need to see big adversitys. I do believe its better to see difficulties in run to Cup than in Stanley Cup finals.
Why Florida lost 3-0 lead
I did see a lot red flags, when Maurice was basicly joking after loses and was saying he like they game. Players didnt show any killer mentalitety, they was just happy to be in situation where they are ”having one, two or three match points”. Now those are all gone, and still they dont look team who have killer mentalitety. Players are still too casual in interviews, they just talk about how its dream to play in Stanley Cup final game 7. Dream should be to win Cup. Florida basicly havent made any line changes and Maurice been happy on game, even that Florida been in difficulties. Tkachuk, Reinhard, Verheage and Montour lacking of score has cost them games.
Florida win if:
Now Florida have to recongnise feeling of shame what it will be if they lose, they have to fight to not be team who everyone know as ”choke”. They have to remember what it did feel to lose Vegas last year. Barkov, Tkachuk, Reinhard, Verheage, Montour, Forsling and Bobrovsky have to play they best game of they year. Third line what was one of strongest two-way lines in earlier have to find they game back. Bobrovsky have to show mental strongest, he was strugling in last games, even that you couldnt put any goals to his fault, he was dropping a lot pucks front of him and didnt always track puck. I see Skinner had upperhand on Bobrovsky so far. Florida might have to play dirty game and get a lot stops on game to kill Edmonton momentum. Make it huge defence baddle and not doing any mistakes. Make it ”bit poor final.”(to kill Edmonton momentum) Those are keys what might help Florida to win Cup.
Edmonton why they was able to tie serie to 3-3?
Knoblauch has been stronger coach so far, he has made key changes to lineups in finals and through playoffs, like putting Skinner back to net in Vancouver serie. Players had hunger, they didnt want to be team which been swept. McDavid been they leader. They did recognise how bad it will be if they would be swept. Skinner has been very strong in Stanley Cup finals, when Bob have .888save% and Skinner have .909% and 2.38GA in these Finals. Bob career Stanley Cup finals stats are not great .867% and 3.76 4-7 record from two seasons. Skinner has made many key saves in key time. Havent lose any game 4, 5, 6 or 7 in these playoffs. McDavid has beat Barkov. McDavid also been very strong in defence zone and team got more scoring from they depth player. I been crying Edmonton to not use McDavid and Draisaitl in PK for years, because you could use them more in even strengh and it would give other players more gametime. What would make them feel more as part of the team. That also been one of key reasons why PK been so good, and its nothing away from McDavid and Draisaitl. I see PK having bigger impact on this serie than they PP, whats been good too.
Edmonton win if:
I do think that if they score first goal and second, it might be too much for Florida to come back. If Florida score first, i do think that Edmonton can get more motivation, than what Florid could get. I mean. If Edmonton score first, what would Florida coach or captain say in intermission if game is 1-0 or 2-0 for Edmonton? For Edmonton being down 1-0 or 2-0 would be just part of the great story what they might write if they come back and win it. Right? Not letting momentum go too high. I believe its key them to be patiance. They havent been in situation where they had to play 0-0 for long times yet. They havent play games where you dont have almost any scoring chances(in tie situation). Edmonton has been playing good defence game, but they cant let Florida to frustrate them if they are 0-0 situation or behind 1-0 long time. Patiance is key. I do think they have keys in they hands to win this.
In game seven, everything is possible, in game seven luck can play huge part. Lets hope game will be great and who ever wins it fair and honestly. Lets hope luck not play too big role in here. Anyway. Thank you for the season. I will update free agency and trades and will start do new NHL news ready, so i can post those before season start. Dont take what i write too seriously, i do it for fun, so hopefully you have enjoyed reading my news.
Lets enjoy last game of the season 2023-2024 whats been great season, where we did see many great stories and great hockey.