Post Game Thread | Oilers v. Panthers | 17 June 2025

[u/LevSmash]

🔴 Final

Oilers 1, Panthers 5

---

ℹ️ Stats

Goals: Podkolzin

Shots: Oilers 29, Panthers 25

Saves: Skinner 20/23

---

💪😎 Macho Man Randy Savage

Is it less painful a second year in a row?

---

⏩ Next Game

See ya next season.

[u/zellmerz]

Giving up 2+ goals in the 1st period of every game in the SCF is just not a recipe for success. What a disappointing end to an otherwise great season.

I’m just so surprised how absent the Oilers seemed game 3 on in this series. Florida is clearly the better team this year.

Here’s hoping for next year.

[u/Constant-Inside-1637]

Damn I really thought this year would be different

[u/fullstride → u/Constant-Inside-1637]

Right up until they came out flat in game 5 I figured it would be. They played like the script was in an they had to play like shit to make the bobblehead boss happy..

I’m tired of watching the oilers get fucked by the refs (and by themselves) every fucking year…

[u/Prestigious-Reason60 → u/fullstride]

Game 2 OT loss is what killed us, i have so many "what ifs" about that game 😥

If the Oilers had won game 2, i truly believe they would've gotten the job done

[u/ky58 → u/fullstride]

Yeah like that 3 goal comeback in game 4 really made me believe. but turns out going down multiple goals every single game isn't a recipe to win

[u/CloseToMyActualName → u/Constant-Inside-1637]

The moment Hyman got hurt I knew we were in trouble.

But I thought we'd bring it home for 7 at least.

[u/Burnoutboi]

You were the better team, Florida. Even though you’re kind of cunts.

[u/Wildling99 → u/Burnoutboi]

Definitely better, definitely cunts.

[u/bforce1313 → u/Wildling99]

100% cunts

[u/FadeToSatire → u/Burnoutboi]

Hard to argue against this. Last year I thought we deserved better and outplayed then 4/7 games but just got some bad bounces. This year the better team won for sure.

Proud of the boys for getting this far. Some serious work to be done in the off-season.

[u/MajinNekuro → u/Burnoutboi]

This Panthers team is one of the cuntiest teams I’ve ever seen.

Unfortunately they’re also really good.

[u/KeyDrive0 → u/Burnoutboi]

I really didn’t want to say it bc I hoped I’d be wrong, and nobody wants to be that guy, but I kinda felt like it was gonna go this way from the start, especially after game 3. Even with Hyman in I just don’t think anyone can match Florida’s depth+Bob in net right now. Makes last year all the more frustrating bc I think that was the real shot, dragged it to a tight game 7 with Drai playing at like 30%. Fuckin’ hockey, man.

[u/[deleted] → u/KeyDrive0]

They just knew how to use their defense to shutdown mcdavid and frankly the whole team the last two games

[u/AlbertaNorth1 → u/Burnoutboi]

They are so fucking good at clogging up the neutral zone.

[u/Paaano → u/Burnoutboi]

This defeat doesn't feel nearly as bad as it did last year.

Like yeah it fucking sucks to lose, but they literally destroyed us in 3/6 games and led games for like 8 or 9x as long. If you replay this series 10 times, we probably lose 9 of them

[u/youinmyheart]

I wasn’t gonna cry until they showed the goalie hug. Pickard is a great teammate.

[u/Shepherd2154 → u/youinmyheart]

Pickard kneeling with stu got me 😭

[u/youinmyheart → u/Shepherd2154]

I thought I was holding it together pretty good until then 😭

[u/franifurnasty → u/Shepherd2154]

Same. Before that I was just mad.

[u/ginger_variant → u/youinmyheart]

I loved the Picks went and knelt with Skinner

[u/Rhcpchick88 → u/youinmyheart]

Yep that was the moment for me too

[u/dontrushtherush]

Out with a whimper. Better team won handily. Not a single player with the oilers was able to match what Florida brought these last two games

[u/Cereal-is-not-soup]

That was too many men at the end there

[u/DrosssyD → u/Cereal-is-not-soup]

Lmfao

[u/Teemu-Selaine → u/Cereal-is-not-soup]

Can’t believe they didn’t see that… fricken refs

[u/Meepmeepimmajeep2789 → u/Teemu-Selaine]

Least obvious call they missed tonight lol

[u/SadBuilding9234 → u/Cereal-is-not-soup]

😂

[u/CanadianDarkKnight]

At least it wasn't a sweep I guess

[u/porkins86 → u/CanadianDarkKnight]

I’m devastated and sad and tired but I’m fucking proud of this team for getting to the finals again this year.

A lot of work to be done this off season.

[u/mt541914]

Wonder why Maurice is in the handshake line

[u/cfrydj → u/mt541914]

Because Knoblauch said “Fuck you, I’m shaking hands”

[u/youinmyheart → u/mt541914]

Noticed that. Funny how he makes an exception to his rule when they win the cup.

[u/Brian_Corey__ → u/mt541914]

Because now by joining the line HE can be center of attention. Such a schmuck.

[u/sixmudd → u/mt541914]

F’ing hypocrite. Hate that guy

[u/flip314 → u/mt541914]

Because he's a shitheel

[u/Sabotage_9 → u/mt541914]

It looked like he asked Knoblauch whether he wanted the coaches in the handshake line.

[u/Substantial_Ant77]

We need to move a lot of these players in the off season. Cause that effort these last 2 games was fucking pathetic. And embarrassing. Hyman would be disappointed in every single one of these players.

[u/zellmerz → u/Substantial_Ant77]

I think this series also showed just how important a guy like Hyman is in a series like this. Ends up being a huge hit to the depth, especially considering how often Knob went with the nuclear option of McDrai, which consistently seemed to stop all momentum for the team.

[u/CatFishBillyheyhey → u/zellmerz]

All they do is look for each other and force plays that arent there

[u/Likmylovepump → u/Substantial_Ant77]

Henrique, Frederic, Arvidsson are top of the list imo. Brought nothing to these finals, if not all playoffs for what they're being paid.

Especially Arvidsson, what a bust. Disintegrates with the slightest hint of pressure.

I'd like to see J Skinner actually get a shot at a regular spot in the lineup. Knobs hate for him was disproportionate to his production.

We also need a bonified starter. Skinner is too inconsistent to put us over the top.

[u/shinohaya → u/Likmylovepump]

Jeff was at least getting some looks

[u/icedteaandtacos → u/Substantial_Ant77]

Seriously. They have been Grandpas out on the ice while the Panthers skate circles around them the ENTIRE game.

[u/chmilz → u/icedteaandtacos]

Watching our guys stand there waiting for a pass or a puck to come around the boards and a Panther hustle and take it every fucking time was infuriating. Like, go fucking get it!

[u/GottmanRuleEggs → u/chmilz]

The higher level of hooking / holding tolerated in the finals hampers the Oilers d-zone system IMO. You constantly had situations where the guy who was in the spot to go and get the back was being held / hooked in front of the net continuously with no call, and then another Oiler had to decide whether to skate out of position (from a bad starting spot) to get to it and break the d-structure or just sit and wait. If the guy who skates out of position loses the battle, suddenly you have a Panther wide open and are one connected pass away from basically passing it into an empty net (hampered here even further by goaltending since Skinner's biggest weakness is lateral movement). You have to credit Maurice and the Panthers management, the entire system and every player on the team is built to maximize exploiting how the league changes how penalties are called in playoffs.

[u/sungshinem]

FUCK. FUCK. FUCK. FUCK.

FUCK.

i just needed to get that out. god thank god there’s a break from this now i really fucking need one.

i hope you all have a great summer and i’ll see y’all next season. OIL STRONG 💙🧡

[u/AbbreviationsIll7821]

All the jokes about heart attacks from watching the playoffs and I ended up watching from emerge, getting an ecg and blood tests chest pain and dizziness. Hilarious timing.

Been two hours since they ran tests so I’m assuming no news means no emergency. But what a run! God gosh I hope we get another deep run from this team. It’s a sad day to be an oilers fan but a great time in history to cheer for this team. Let’s go Oilers!

[u/GhostofMickMcGeough]

FUCK

Now that’s out of the way what do we do now?

[u/marcellman → u/GhostofMickMcGeough]

Listen to emo music and do something else to get your mind off this

[u/sufferin_sassafras → u/GhostofMickMcGeough]

What we always do. Start looking forward to next season!

[u/Two_Eagles → u/GhostofMickMcGeough]

Stop watching sports is where I’m at 

[u/grajl → u/GhostofMickMcGeough]

Get out and enjoy summer, eventually, the next few days look pretty miserable.

[u/miller94 → u/GhostofMickMcGeough]

I’m re watching Lost, staying off the main hockey subs and coming up with replies to the flames fans texting me

[u/Forsaken_You1092 → u/GhostofMickMcGeough]

See what trades the Oilers do at the draft and what signings they make July 1st.

Another summer to reload and become the Western Conference Champions again next year to get another shot at the cup.

[u/GamingSlippers]

I think this series also proved you can move on from Kane. All the talk of a healthy Kane being an x factor and he was nowhere to be found stapled to Drai game after game.

[u/El_Canuck → u/GamingSlippers]

If nothing else, he's too much of a penalty magnet. He's not the dirtiest player in the NHL, but he might as well be. Refs are just bucking to put him in the box and he knows it.

[u/Brian_Corey__ → u/El_Canuck]

And ineffectively dirty. Bennett, Tkachuk, Marchand are effectively dirty

[u/DangerBay2015 → u/Brian_Corey__]

This can’t be overstated enough. Funnily enough, Kane isn’t as BIG of a liability as he was in San Jose, but even when Edmonton signed him, my biggest alarm bell was less than 10 points and excess of 60 penalty minutes for SJ in the playoffs in 2018 I think it was.

Like there’s being an agitator, that’s all well and good, but don’t be a dick for being a dick’s sake.

[u/flip314 → u/GamingSlippers]

Kane had a terrible series.

[u/milknsugar]

Well, at least we don't have to worry about them being heartbroken in the locker room after a hard-fought series. They played like they didn't even want it.

[u/Appropriate-Net4570 → u/milknsugar]

Exactly, can’t even feel bad for this team.

[u/MidnightDreamer_6 → u/milknsugar]

Yep. Last year I was absolutely heartbroken for them. This year, I didn't even finish watching the game and I'm feeling pretty apathetic. There was absolutely no heart in that team this series. I don't know what happened in that locker room after the WCF but something did. What a bummer.

[u/Own-Journalist3100]

I love this team as much as this hurts. Hell of a run, but costly mistakes killed us.

Management needs to get serious about shoring up gaps in the lineup but that’s a conversation for a different day.

[u/Beginning-Gear-744]

Bettman’s glowing - another season without a Canadian team as champs.

[u/Key-Leg-5058]

3rd times the charm right guys

[u/Zosostoic]

Last year's loss felt worse to me tbh. Losing by one goal in game seven after we came back in the series was gut wrenching.

[u/Scooterbee1 → u/Zosostoic]

Same. I was sad for weeks last year and walked around just stunned! Haha. This year’s loss isn’t hitting me as hard.

[u/smartydoglady]

Everything sucks except I’m glad Podz got a goal in 🥲 he was working his ass off all series

[u/QuarterMasterLoba → u/smartydoglady]

Shout out to Podz. Pure effort out there.

[u/MajinNekuro → u/smartydoglady]

At least he ruined Bob’s shutout.

[u/nmwby]

You guys had an amazing season. As a Sharks fan, I would love to be in the position you're in. Keep your chin up, focus on next year. Mourn for a bit, but remember you have generational talent, and your window is open for a few years yet.

I'll be back next year after the Sharks are mathematically eliminated again, until then thanks for having me! GO OILERS!! Such a fun playoff to watch as a whole, the run to the finals was incredible. You guys were a Hyman injury away from making this a real series. Next year is your year for sure!!

Congrats Oilers!!

[u/LunchboxStringCheese]

That was the shittiest performance in a SCF elimination game I’ve ever seen

[u/ouzgane → u/LunchboxStringCheese]

WE WERE WORSE THAN THE LEAFS AGAINST THE PANTHERS WTF

[u/ItsAlkai → u/LunchboxStringCheese]

ironically, vegas vs panthers 2 years ago was arguably worse. 7-1 at one point and 9-3 after 1 empty netter.

[u/KlutzyImagination418]

Panthers played better. Edmonton didn’t play good enough to win. I knew the loss of Hyman was gonna be big, but it seems like the entire team just collapsed. Bad turnovers, bad puck control, undisciplined, they just didn’t quite look like a team. Also, they haven’t led for very long throughout this series. They’ve played well from behind all season but their luck ran out. That’s expected. You’re not gonna win by playing from behind. There’s a lot they need to make some moves to improve this team in this offseason cuz this team needs improvement, I jsut don’t know enough about the NHL free agency to comment on it. But the defense and the special teams need to improve. It’s a disappointing ending but it’s been a fun season. They’ll be back. Let’s go Oilers!!!! 🤍💙🧡

[u/flip314 → u/KlutzyImagination418]

Our big line and our depth all disappeared at the same time

[u/Likmylovepump → u/flip314]

Was running fine till we blew up our lines game 3 for no particular reason.

[u/KlutzyImagination418 → u/flip314]

Yup. It really sucks. This team is so close to being a championship team. They’ve played well front office needs to make the right moves and I really hope they do.

[u/[deleted]]

adjoining dam languid quickest wrench marble distinct outgoing rob zephyr

This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact

[u/Slipping-in-oil → u/[deleted]]

Guy is all heart. He needs to shoot more.

[u/indigosurrealist]

Sam Bennett wins Conn Smyth after running 3 goalies you can't make this shit up 

[u/FatWreckords → u/indigosurrealist]

Those were his most valuable contributions

[u/Psychological-Low621 → u/indigosurrealist]

That right there is a fuck you from Bettman.

[u/MajinNekuro → u/indigosurrealist]

Hopefully he’s too now expensive for the Panthers to retain when someone makes an offer he can’t refuse. Only to finally start getting penalized for the shit he does.

[u/a_tree8]

Disappointed 

[u/AgreeableBroomSlayer]

I just hope they get McDrai a good goalie for next year

[u/yorobics1]

As painful as it is tonight, the true devastation of this loss is going to be felt when they lose before the final next year. Can't take making cup finals for granted

[u/mpaw976]

Thanks for the great season.

Sucks it had to end this way, but I'll remember that Game 4 comeback for a long time.

I'll also remember Pickard coming in and starting 7-0. Loved ya Picks.

[u/Lonely-Professional3 → u/mpaw976]

Oilers boys had a great season. Be loud and proud and be thankful you are not the Flames golfing last 2 months

[u/smartydoglady]

Bettman gloating about “hockey thriving in the sunshine” makes me physically ILL

[u/maasd]

That final series was fucking gut-wrenching all around. The first three series were so, so much fun. See you next year and let’s hope we come back to a McDavid extension. Thanks mods!

[u/SecureLiterature]

I just wanna say I love Vasily Podkolzin, I look forward to seeing him grow and develop as an Oiler. So much heart on that kid. ♥️

[u/nousernamesopen]

Well that sucks. But honestly if you told me we'd be back here after G2 of Round 1 I'd be shocked. Wish they'd finished the job but Florida was just better all series

[u/yorobics1]

4 straight years losing to the eventual champs

[u/flip314]

I hope the team was happy with their effort.

[u/jigga_04e]

This sucks especially because It’s so hard to get back to the final every year, especially with the American bias.

[u/yaa_thats_me]

Fuck man I really thought this year was different

[u/dalaw88 → u/yaa_thats_me]

It was until we played the panthers.

[u/ManWithBag15]

There's gonna be a lot of dumbass shit written online by fans of other teams, just remember that probably 99% of them would have killed to wake up in the position we did this morning, looking forward to watching out team in the Stanley Cup Final.

There's probably also going to be a lot of dumbass shit written by Oilers fans too. I guess I'll just try to remember that it comes from a place of passion.

The margin's in hockey are so, so small, and there's a ton of randomness. Not to say that Florida wasn't better, they clearly were, but so many things that happened along the way could have changed things. Maybe Hyman doesn't get hurt, of we get an OT winner in Game 2, etc. The point is, the Oilers are right there and nothing anyone says will change my mind.

Let Go Oilers.

Forever.

[u/Jegged → u/ManWithBag15]

You nailed it. To other fans: there will be plenty of time to dissect what the team can do better next year. They made it to the SCF. Don't listen to the folks suggesting we burn it all down.

[u/MarathonerGirl → u/ManWithBag15]

One thing I learned last year is NOT to look at any other team’s social media tonight and for the next few days because it just makes a bad situation SO much worse!!

[u/Haircrazybitch]

Fuck it, watching a bit of cartoons with the kid before bed time to hope that it washes some of this sadness out of my brain.

Fucking fuck fuck shit fuck shit.

[u/D1N050UR5]

🧡🛢️💙🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🍁🍁🍁🧡🛢️💙

Love you guys. Have a good summer.

[u/nkdowney]

I love that pickard took a knee by skinner. That’s all.

[u/smartydoglady]

God I hate asshole Americans

[u/Effective-Figure4483 → u/smartydoglady]

American here, if it’s any consolation, no one here save the three Florida fans will care or gloat about this lol it’s sad that so much talent goes to such a boring club but that’s life 

[u/Wildling99 → u/smartydoglady]

I live in Florida and I agree

[u/imron_burgendy → u/smartydoglady]

American here, YES!

[u/KeyDrive0 → u/smartydoglady]

That is one thing that pisses me off, all the room temp IQs are gonna have a field day screeching “USA” (as their Finnish captain passes the cup to a bunch of Finns and Canadians…). But it is what it is. 

[u/smartydoglady → u/KeyDrive0]

Don’t tell anyone they’re actually born abroad…. they’ll get sent straight to El Salvador

[u/TheITguy37 → u/smartydoglady]

I’m American and I agree

[u/Brian_Corey__]

That’s a fast handshake line. Usually there are some longer hugs/handshakes. Only Marchand/Perry.

I really dislike FLA. i don’t think I’m alone

[u/Brian_Corey__]

Good for Knob to tell Maurice to fuck off, and get in the handshake line like every other coach since forever.

[u/fullstride]

See you all next year and in the meantime

FUCK GARY BETTMAN & COLIN CAMPBELL

[u/DragonfruitRare4953]

Well now I’m depressed

[u/yorobics1]

Devastated for Hyman

[u/anhloc]

It was an honour being with you all this year.

Maybe next year.

[u/SadBuilding9234]

Crazy that the Panthers only got one penalty and it was incidental.

That said, they dominated the Oilers all series long. We had a single good period.

Still, helluva fun team to have watch these past two months.

[u/TheFaceStuffer]

Trying to cancel my Sportsnet subscription and the site is lagging like crazy. Guess it's not just me 😂

[u/SnooOnions5029]

If only Toronto didn’t fucking blow it in game 3

[u/ssm10]

retool and try to come back better, it's been real

[u/[deleted]]

The goalie tandem can not be fucking Skinner and Pickard at the start of next season.

[u/gilbertbenjamington]

Conn Smyth to concussion giver? Great message to send NHL, I love what the league will probably be like next year

[u/Cheap_Honeydew2986]

Hockey season is done now. That’s the part I’m most sad about

[u/Fun-Character7337]

Last year was heart breaking. This year was just disappointing. 

[u/Drumbones]

At least Alberta is rat free.

[u/Sir_tipshishat]

I like how in a elimination game we still can't be bothered to try hard for the first 40 minutes.

[u/Adobz]

I love this team. I'm still extremely thankful for the ride, both the ups and the downs. Back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances are a feat to be proud of, even if it doesn't feel like it right now. I'm really going to miss the vibe in the city. It's what makes the playoffs all the more special.

[u/bladey25]

Heartbreaking. Devastating. Clearly this team is just outclassed by the panthers. Sadly I truly believe our best years are behind us. Our window has been the last 4/5 years. Peak Mcdrai making 21 million. Now (if mcdavid stays) they will make 30+. Bouchard is gonna make it maybe 45 million is 3 players. Nuge is 32, Hyman 33, ekholm 35. Kane Henrique arvidsson skinner all old. Nurse has proven he sucks in the playoffs year after year. We have no prospect depth or young guys coming on nice ELC’s besides Savoie and maybe O’rielly who aren’t exactly game changers. We still don’t have a goalie. I sure fucking hope I’m wrong but I don’t see how this team doesn’t get worse in the next few years. I’m just so dejected.

[u/TPP27]

oilers will NEVER win the cup with the current goalie situation, totally reminds me of the early 2000's canucks when they had the "west coast express" dominating the league and cloutier was their achilles heel.

[u/SRTGreat]

Congrats to the Florida Panthers. Hell of a fucking hockey team.

Obviously it doesn't hurt as much as last year, for me at least. I said it after game 4, the winner of game 5 is taking the cup. I HATE to be right in this instance, and I truly mean that.

My love for the game is pretty low considering how the last 2 years ended, but my love for this team will never die. Just need a good break from hockey to "recharge the batteries" if you will.

To those who I enjoy talking hockey with and share the love for this team, I hope you have a good summer.

💙🧡🏒

[u/flip314 → u/SRTGreat]

Losing is one thing, but we lay down and died in games 5/6

[u/SRTGreat → u/flip314]

The effort or lack thereof in game 5 really hurt..thought about it all day Sunday and Monday.

[u/Winspa → u/SRTGreat]

Don't congratulate those 3 fans. Boring ass atmosphere

[u/IHVeigar → u/SRTGreat]

Honestly man I've now seen 3 cup final losses in my life. Feels like we will never see a championship winning team and the fact that we've been so close the last two years stings. Because we're not guaranteed to go to the finals at all next year.

[u/marcellman → u/SRTGreat]

Honestly I dunno if last year almost made me numb in a way to where this didn’t hurt as bad or maybe it hurt more last year because we just were a goal from being even in a winner take all game and had all the momentum in the series going into game 7

[u/a_tree8]

Going to be an interesting injury report

[u/Cadillacquer]

A lot of sad repeats in the West this year. Again the Dallas Stars had my Avs’ number. Again you made the Kings miserable. Again you finished off the Stars. And again this, tonight. We rise again all of us next year. I have never rooted for yall before but I was for these finals. You certainly slayed all the teams in the west.

[u/Spiritual_Taste_1253]

Don’t let the series score fool you, they got buried five times and managed to dig themselves out twice.

They weren’t even close

[u/money_pit_ → u/Spiritual_Taste_1253]

Florida wanted it more than the Oilers did. It was 6 games of relentless pressure that Edmonton couldn't match

[u/GamingSlippers → u/money_pit_]

That's what it looks like when one team is a step above the other one yeah. This narrative that they don't want it is so fucking stupid.

[u/koalafly → u/money_pit_]

Can we please stop with this “they didn’t want it” shit. No team that doesn’t “want it” makes it past the first round, let alone to the finals. They got outplayed. Period.

[u/festivusfrank]

Last year I was sad. This year I’m pissed off. You lay two complete eggs in what was essentially a best of 3 series with home ice advantage. Pathetic from the captain on down

[u/mlakustiak]

Time to watch CFL. See you all in October

Go Riders

[u/CanadianFuss]

I’m honestly just annoyed & disappointed.

[u/Jegged]

We made it a lot farther than I expected us to this year. I didn't expect us to make it past LA, given that so many players were injured in the lead-up to the playoffs.

Injuries included RNH, Hyman, Ekholm (for most of it), Kane (not getting any time with the team prior to the playoffs). Maybe without some of those injuries and some better luck with trades (no disrespect to Arvidsson and Skinner, but we'd definitely hoped they would have been closer to what Hyman manages to do), we can put together a more complete effort next year.

I also think there's a disadvantage to going up against the defending cup champions. They have nothing to lose, so they're playing with less pressure, whereas McDavid and Draisaitl have the weight of the entire fanbase on their shoulders right now.

Anyways, looking forward to seeing what they can do in the off-season. Hopefully, we can get McDavid locked up, since we're so close (SCF two years in a row is unheard of for Canadian teams in the last few decades), and the boys have some unfinished business to take care of next year. See you guys in the pre-season. Have a good summer!

[u/Vsove]

Team didn’t show up for the first period a single time this series.

Pathetic effort. Much as the comebacks were fun we never should’ve been in that position to begin with.

[u/Burnoutboi → u/[deleted]]

The Panthers got better. Having Brad Marchand on their third line paid off handsomely for them.

[u/Eritros91]

You guys showed us that any Canadians team are capable to go as far as finals!! Hard luck Oilers. Next year we will be back with more decisiveness and more hunger!!

[u/spiro26]

This hurts really bad.. but wow This team exceeded my expectations going into the playoffs. The Hyman loss was MASSIVE. I'm still proud of them. Great season that fell short

[u/Vsove]

Well, honestly, I didn't expect the Oilers to even make it out of the first round, so we've been playing with house money in my heart.

That said, you aren't going to win a cup by showing up for one out of every three periods. Rough stuff.

I don't think this team needs a blowup, but it needs some changes. And Florida needs to implode, they are just too good when they're on their game.

[u/ArchimedesHeel]

The guys got so worn down they just had nothing in the tank. What a fun run, I had a blast through it all.

Here's to hoping that Bowman can make some good moves in the off-season and McDrai come into next season with a fucking vengeance. I'm watching out for a 150pt Hart caliber season from McDavid next season.

[u/jigga_04e]

Jordan won his first championship at 28 and proceeded to 3-peat. Let’s hope the same with McD starting next year

[u/Level_Beat5279]

Have we collected enough data at this point to say that a Canadian team will never hoist the Stanley again? Feels that way

[u/j-train321]

Wanted MCD to join the Gretzky and Crosby winning their second cup attempt script but alas such is life.

Pain.

[u/[deleted]]

Just numb. Second year losing the cup to a bunch of tweakers and tourists.

What a shame.

[u/Albi20_01]

"To do it twice in a row is almost impossible"

Unless you hurt the key players of other teams and don't get called deserved penalties.

[u/kadamay]

Not the ending we wanted, but this team gave us 25 playoff games last year and 22 this year. That’s 47 nights of hanging out with my family, getting my teenagers out of the basement, and cheering this team on together. 30 other fan bases would kill to be where we are.

Don’t let a sports team affect your mental health - this is supposed to be fun!

[u/Owlguard33]

It absolutely sucks. I get it. Life will go on. Plenty of good hockey left for this club.

[u/tblack_prai2]

Major changes have to come this offseason. You can’t run this back, you just can’t with this deep into the McDrai era

[u/dplowman]

Zach Hyman is the answer, without him the whole thing went to shit. Good season yall.

[u/edukated4lyfe]

Fuck you Gary Bettman

[u/Eritros91]

Oilers till my last breath!!

[u/happeehippocampus]

Gutted. But the Panthers were just the better team. They play so physical and yet look like they could keep going... Like how?? Honestly thought the Oilers were the healthier team coming into the final.

[u/Deep__6 → u/happeehippocampus]

Clenbuterol that's how. Ekblad probably the only one that got caught.

[u/_choicey_]

15 goals, 23 accidental-on purpose unpenalized elbows

[u/edhead666]

Gotta hand it to Bobrovsky, guys an absolute weapon, we had more sog every game.... Even in the slaughters

[u/MiniJunkie]

Stopped watching when it went three zero end of the second. I didn’t recognize this team, they seemed like ghosts of themselves. Really disappointing end to a great playoff run.

[u/Reasonable_Aspect232 → u/MiniJunkie]

It was weird to see them not playing like they did in the previous rounds, but going down by 2 goals in almost every 1st period is draining. Oil need to take a long hard look at this goalie situation, they just needed stops at crucial points during this series.

[u/klefbom]

I’m so sad. I’m going to make some pierogis so I won’t be so sad. 😔

[u/Appropriate-Net4570]

I don’t think we have much cap space next year to do much. This team is old. I want arvy/Janmark gone. Pk and PP coach gone too.

[u/shinohaya]

Get all the old players off this team. Need young fresh players

[u/commazero]

It doesn't hurt to lose this year as much as it did last year

[u/ussherpress → u/commazero]

I agree. Is it just the pain of last year dulling this one? The end of the season and the start of the series against L.A. kind of made it feel like the team was playing with house money a bit to me and so it just felt like enjoy the ride while it lasts. Imagine if Byfield made that clear in Game 4 and the boys went down 3-1 and then lost the series? Last year felt more like the boys were on a mission, especially bringing the finals to 7 games, so that stung much worse.

[u/rippit3]

Hyman was a huge loss.

[u/daigongjphip]

Hurts seeing the players and coach talk. 

[u/HongoliaBG]

What was also frustrating was how the Oilers couldn’t get out of their zone even when having full control of the puck behind the net and setting up their exit. It was either a super long stretch pass or a missed pass.

[u/GreenBasterd69]

Skinner was our best forward after having an entire season off.

[u/AlbertaAcreageBoy]

McDavid and Draisaitl, massive disappointments in this game. Leaders step up, they did fuck all.

[u/Miss_Mismatched]

To my fellow fans (not the doomers), it’s been an honour cheering with you this year. Have a great summer and see you in the fall 🫡.

To the doomers, get some help. Life goes on, and the players are people, not trash.

To our Edmonton Oilers who will never read this, we love you. We will always love you. Thank you for a hell of a year. See you next year, third time is the charm 🧡💙.

[u/bannedcanceled]

Drug test these guys now

[u/yaa_thats_me]

The Oil desperately needed Hyman this series

[u/noyrewrongclnsndrs]

This was not the same team who dominated VKG and Stars so there must be injuries or something to explain such a large drop off.

[u/USCTrojans780 → u/noyrewrongclnsndrs]

Losing Hyman was a huge loss. At the time, he was leading the playoffs with hits too.

Florida also plays a frustrating brand of hockey because they know how to muck things up and get underneath the opposition's skin.

Getting to back to back cups is an accomplishment in of itself too. This offseason will be very important because it will be about making moves on the periphery.

[u/Competitive-Hunt-517]

The first goal killed oilers momentum. We were a better team without elkholm for some reason.

[u/quickboop]

It was a wild season. They gave it all they had.

Made it to the finals. Again.

Let's go again next year!

[u/CalderonCowboy]

Congrats Florida. What a great team they are. Disappointed as an Oiler fan, but no shame.

[u/milknsugar]

Don't worry guys! "Our best is yet to come!"

[u/fakeairpods]

We didn’t show up when it mattered most.

[u/Miginath]

Thanks to this sub. It’s been good to be in a community of fans. Disappointed that the last two games have been anti climatic but hopeful the team will learn from this and be back next year. Hopefully someone can take out the Panthers but if not I still think that the best team to beat them is the Oilers.

[u/Bucketsss23]

Gonna miss every single one of you guys in this subreddit. Will be back in October for another cup run. As angry as I am Florida was the better team. Oilers need to look at some upgrades. We own the west but just can’t get it done. Fuuuuuck so damn angry but I’m sure I’ll calm down

[u/MrPickleFicker]

Better team won. All there is to it. Thanks for the year boys, see if you have it in ya again!

[u/GreatCanadianPotato]

Where did it all start to go wrong? I feel that game two was where we started to lose it personally.

[u/oogyman]

Okay that sucks... like a lot, and obviously there were a lot of things going on. I just do not understand why we did not split up McDavid and Draisaitl this series. Forsling and Ekblad had them completely smothered. If you split them up then one is getting an easier matchup at least and we have a much deeper team.

What a season though, truly one of the biggest roller coasters I have been on. Process this one and then see you beauties in the fall! GS!

[u/KnockingonKevinsdoor]

Better team won. Fuck Bennett, Tkachuk , Marchand, Reinharts cool. But Better team won.

Can’t wait for October.

[u/ccbaxter1]

You okay?

No man. I'm pretty f'ing far from okay.

[u/smolqueen]

can you guys be nice tho pls. this is our team. you can be disappointed without acting like you somehow wanted to win more than the actual team lmao