Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch. Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

Oilers HC Kris Knoblauch takes a random shot at the Bills

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Jun 4, 2024 4:28 PM ET

The Buffalo Bills found themselves as a random punchline in the lead-up to the 2024 Stanley Cup Final between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers. It might have been enough to turn the entire city of Buffalo into Panthers fans over the next couple of weeks.

In meeting with the media on Tuesday, Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch was asked a question about his team's lack of Stanley Cup Final experience in going up against a Panthers team that is making its second straight trip to the Final.

Knoblauch's response is probably not going to be one that goes over well in the city of Buffalo.

"You can ask the Buffalo Bills how important Super Bowl experience is."

Kris Knoblauch on the Panthers reaching the #StanleyCup Final for the second straight year. pic.twitter.com/UUib2APsFj
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 4, 2024

Harsh. But fair. Experience is definitely a factor at this stage, but it can sometimes be a little overstated.

The Bills, of course, famously lost four consecutive Super Bowls between the 1990-93 NFL seasons and are still searching for the franchise's first Super Bowl title. No other team has ever been to four consecutive Super Bowls (only two other teams have ever gone to three consecutive Super Bowls).

On one hand, Buffalo hockey fans were probably already leaning toward the Panthers when it comes to Stanley Cup Final rooting interest because of the number of former Sabres on their roster, including Sam Reinhart, Kyle Okposo and Brandon Montour.

The head coach of the Oilers digging at some old Super Bowl wounds probably only further increases their rooting interests.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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