SUNRISE – Connor McDavid could the truth is be one of the best participant on the planet.

However the Florida Panthers are one of the best workforce in hockey.

It is arduous to examine a situation wherein Florida doesn’t have a good time a Stanley Cup championship within the close to future, primarily based on what we have seen in Video games 1 and a couple of.

The Panthers beat the Oilers, 4-1, in a recreation on Monday evening at Amerant Financial institution Enviornment that was rather more lopsided than even the ultimate rating indicated.

Florida completely outplayed Edmonton they usually’ll get on that 2,541 mile flight to Western Canada with a two-games-to-none collection lead.

Florida is the significantly better defensive workforce.

The Oilers had seven – seven! – pictures in intervals 1 and a couple of on Monday evening.

Florida is gifted. And bodily. And well-conditioned.

They’re so structurally sound. They put on down their opponent. They frustrate their opponent.

These Panthers usually are not only a good workforce, they’re a nice workforce.

Stanley Cup Last: Florida Panthers management Edmonton Oilers

They’re an unbelievably good defensive workforce.

They’re winners of 5 straight within the postseason now. And it is fully attainable they win this factor in, say, 5 video games, doubtlessly wrapping up South Florida’s first sports activities championship in additional than a decade on residence ice.

On Monday, it was veteran Evan Rodrigues with two targets, each within the third interval, as Florida pulled away after the sport was tied at 1.

“I signed right here for a purpose,” Rodrigues mentioned on ESPN after the sport.

Florida doesn’t make many defensive errors. And after they do, they’ve future Corridor of Famer goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky to scrub issues up.

Edmonton doesn’t have such luxurious.

Rodrigues’ first purpose was a wrister over Stuart Skinner’s blocker after a giveway by an Edmonton defenseman.

Annoyed Edmonton Oilers resort to soiled play

Rodrigues’ second purpose got here on the finish of an influence play. The annoyed Oilers have resorted to low-cost pictures. Star Leon Draisaitl was within the field after elbowing star Alexsander Barkov within the jaw.

Early within the recreation, Edmonton’s Warren Foegele was tossed for a grimy leg-to-leg method appeared to injure Eetu Luostarinen, who did return.

Edmonton’s eye-opening offense ability has been smothered.

“We play arduous,” Rodrigues mentioned. “Protection first.”

These Panthers, brilliantly constructed by common supervisor Invoice Zito and brilliantly managed by Paul Maurice, appear unstoppable at this level.

They appear destined for this.

The Florida Panthers are essentially the most thrilling present in South Florida for the time being.

Is it any shock pop star Ariana Grande has been in attendance for each victories?

The Panthers have an all-world goaltender.

The Panthers have one of the best all-around participant within the recreation, in Barkov.

The Panthers have the best possible defensive unit within the NHL.

And it is changing into clear now the place this Stanley Cup Last is headed.

Edmonton is gifted. However they’re out-classed.

The Florida Panthers are deserving of their 2-0 collection lead.

“We wish the Cup!” followers chanted. “We wish the Cup!”

After Monday evening, Florida is now heavy, heavy favorites to raise their first Stanley Cup.

Joe Schad is a sports activities journalist at The Palm Seaside Submit. You’ll be able to attain him at jschad@pbpost.com and comply with him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Assist help our work by subscribing right now.