SUNRISE – Connor McDavid could actually be the most effective participant on the earth.

However the Florida Panthers are the most effective group in hockey.

It is arduous to ascertain a situation through which Florida doesn’t have fun a Stanley Cup championship within the close to future, based mostly on what we have seen in Video games 1 and a pair of.

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

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

Florida is the a lot better defensive group.

The Oilers had seven – seven! – photographs in durations 1 and a pair 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 are usually not only a good group, they’re a nice group.

Stanley Cup Last: Florida Panthers management Edmonton Oilers

They’re an unbelievably good defensive group.

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

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

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

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

Edmonton doesn’t have such luxurious.

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

Annoyed Edmonton Oilers resort to soiled play

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

Early within the sport, 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 talent has been smothered.

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

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

They appear destined for this.

The Florida Panthers are probably the most thrilling present in South Florida in the meanwhile.

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 the most effective all-around participant within the sport, in Barkov.

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

And it is turning 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 elevate their first Stanley Cup.

Joe Schad is a sports activities journalist at The Palm Seashore Submit. You possibly can attain him at jschad@pbpost.com and observe him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Assist help our work by subscribing at the moment.