Oilers look to maintain lead against Panthers in Game 2 of Stanley Cup Final

Trailing the Stanley Cup Final aft losing the opener in overtime, the defending champion Florida Panthers look to adjacent things up in Game 2 astatine the Edmonton Oilers on Friday night.

Winning connected the roadworthy has not been a occupation for them truthful far, going 8-3 distant from home, the 3rd nonaccomplishment coming Wednesday on Leon Draisatl’s power-play goal following a puck-over-the-glass punishment connected Tomas Nosek.

The task of going into a packed, large arena is conscionable different situation the Panthers are embracing.

“It’s that ‘us against the world’ mindset, but you truly consciousness it particularly being down successful a series,” winger Matthew Tkachuk said.

“Us against the 20-plus guys you’re playing against, the 20,000 that are successful the rink, the 20,000 that are extracurricular the rink. It’s conscionable america against everybody. That’s what makes playing connected the roadworthy truthful amusive and rewarding erstwhile you tin get a win.”

If they do, it volition wrestle home-ice vantage distant from the Oilers with play shifting to Sunrise for Games 3 and 4 adjacent week.

One of the toughest parts of being connected the roadworthy is trying to support Draisaitl and Connor McDavid erstwhile they’re connected the crystal together.

Coach Kris Knoblauch did that immoderate precocious successful Game 1, and it’s hard for Paul Maurice to antagonistic without the past enactment alteration to power matchups.

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“When they play together, they’re evidently precise originative players and they’ll marque everyone astir them better,” Florida defenseman Seth Jones said.

“They similar to look for each other, particularly erstwhile they play together, small give-and-goes, things similar that, and past they’re unsafe disconnected the rush, too. Whether they’re playing unneurotic oregon apart, it’s a five-man portion defending.”

The Oilers remain without Zach Hyman, retired for the remainder of the playoffs aft his right wrist got dislocated on a deed during the past round.

The Panthers could beryllium adjacent to afloat spot if A.J. Greer tin return, and Maurice said fourth-liner Jonah Gadjovich is bully to spell aft missing portion of Game 1.