Watch: Oilers score first goal in 2024 Stanley Cup Final

Edmonton Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm (14) celebrates scoring against the Florida Panthers during the first period in Game 2 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena. Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Oilers get one past Sergei Bobrovsky for first goal in 2024 Stanley Cup Final

By Eric Smithling | Last updated Jun 10, 2024 9:55 PM ET

The Oilers finally broke through against Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky.

Edmonton scored its first goal of the Stanley Cup Final in the first period of Game 2 when defenseman Mattias Ekholm hit the back of the net with a wrist shot on an assist by forward Connor McDavid.

MATTIAS EKHOLM GIVES THE OILERS THE LEAD IN THE FIRST PERIOD

Their first goal in this year's Stanley Cup Final!

: ABC/ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/hI22lql9Na
— ESPN (@espn) June 11, 2024

The goal was Ekholm's fifth of the postseason and McDavid's 27th assist.

ESPN reporter Emily Kaplan spoke with Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch after the goal and asked what led to his team's breakthrough.

Knoblauch credited his team's "odd man rush" while noting that it must continue to use Florida's aggression against it to get more fastbreak opportunities.

Edmonton certainly can't count on getting much past Bobrovsky when the numbers are to his advantage.

During the playoffs, Borbrosvky ranks second in goals against average (2.08) and tied for fourth in save percentage (91.5 percent).

Florida has at least one goal in each of its first 18 games this postseason and hasn't been shut out in a playoff game since May 2022.

If the Oilers want to get back in this series, they might need to put another dent in Bobrovsky's armor.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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