Oilers Thoughts: Embarrassing loss in Game 3 needs to be a wake-up call

It’s been a minute since the Edmonton Oilers faced some real adversity.

Now, after getting smoked by the Florida Panthers in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, they’ve got 48 long hours to think about what needs to change.

The Panthers jumped on the Oilers early on Monday night and never let up. Sure, Corey Perry gave Edmonton a spark early in the second, but it fizzled fast. Florida answered just 80 seconds later, then cruised the rest of the way to the finish line. The goal horn at Amerant Bank Arena sounded three more times as the home side cruised to a 6-1 victory.

Heading into this game, the Oilers looked almost unstoppable. They’d gone 13-3 in the playoffs, overcoming deficits and overwhelming opponents with depth and skill. But on Monday? The Panthers outclassed them in nearly every way.

Bad penalties far from their net. Poor penalty killing. Shaky goaltending. Rough zone exits. You name it, Edmonton struggled. But pointing fingers at just one area isn’t fair.

Was it all on Stuart Skinner? Nope. Was it just the penalty kill? Nope. Was it because of inconsistent officiating? Not even close. Plain and simple, the Panthers were better in every single aspect of Game 3.

Maybe this was exactly what the Oilers needed: A wake-up call, a kick in the ass reminding them that winning a Stanley Cup isn’t supposed to be easy. It’s a gut-check moment, and it’s time to respond.

Now what?

The Oilers are going to need to make some tangible changes ahead of Game 4 if they’re going to get back to Alberta with the series tied up at 2-2. 

Head coach Kris Knoblauch shuffled the defensive pairings mid-game, but it didn’t work. I’d say it’s time to insert Troy Stecher and sit John Klingberg.

Not that Klingberg was terrible, but we’ve seen pairs that click:

• Kulak and Bouchard
• Nurse and Stecher

I’d pair those four and then put Walman with Ekholm. Ekholm thrives next to puck-movers.
Up front is trickier. Edmonton lacked anyone consistently driving play into Florida’s zone. Maybe Connor Brown, who showed some jump, could line up with McDavid?

The coaches have big decisions ahead. The players need to rediscover the calm, confident style that got them past Vegas and Dallas.

One thing I did love was the Oilers getting chippy late in the game. It’s playoff hockey. Sending a message matters. Plus, it highlighted Florida’s diving habits: Forsling, Lundell, and Luostarinen all went down way too easily. Officials watch tape, remember?

Remember when Sam Bennett went hard into Stuart Skinner in Game 1, and then in Game 2, they called him for goalie interference? That stuff can carry over, and I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if the Panthers were being watched very closely in Game 4.

Connor McDavid says their best hockey is still ahead of them. Let’s hope he’s right and that it shows up Thursday night.