Good morning, everyone, and a happy Monday to you all. I&#8217;ve got a fresh mailbag ready to go, after taking your questions and sending them to the crew for their take on whatever&#8217;s on your mind. This week, we&#8217;re discussing the Edmonton Oilers as an older team, the <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2025/05/29/oilers-will-host-panthers-for-game-1-of-stanley-cup-final-on-wednesday/">Stanley Cup rematch against the Panthers</a>, and more. If you’ve got a question you’d like to ask, email it to me at <a class="text-accent" href="mailto:baggedmilk@oilersnation.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">baggedmilk@oilersnation.com</a> or on Twitter at <a class="text-accent" href="https://www.twitter.com/jsbmbaggedmilk" rel="noopener noreferrer">@jsbmbaggedmilk</a>, and I’ll get to you as soon as I can.

<figure id="attachment_176021" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-176021" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-176021" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/P-PERRY-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers forward Corey Perry" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/P-PERRY-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/P-PERRY-300x200.jpg 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/P-PERRY-768x512.jpg 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/P-PERRY-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/P-PERRY-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-176021" class="wp-caption-text">May 29, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Edmonton Oilers right wing Corey Perry (90) reacts after scoring a goal against the Dallas Stars in game five of the Western Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure>
1) Rick from Dallas (happy guy) asks &#8211; A lot was made early in the season about us having the oldest team in the league. From where I am sitting, I feel that this has turned out to be a positive. The maturity in the room has had an obvious impact, as the team has had to deal with both highs and lows. The veterans have been able to keep the younger guys focused and on task. Thoughts???
Jason Gregor:
The Oilers don’t really have any younger guys. Evan Bouchard is the second youngest player on<a href="https://oilersnation.com/combinations"> the team</a>, but he has loads of playoff experience. Having experience helps, no question, and last season’s loss in the Cup Final taught them a  lot, but is also a big motivator. Some felt the Oilers were slow and old, and they did play slower to start the season, but the playoff lineup isn’t slow.
Tyler Yaremchuk:
I mean, it&#8217;s hard to answer that without being in the room. When it comes to keeping the younger guys in check, I&#8217;m not sure if that was ever an issue before for the Oilers so it&#8217;s hard to call it a positive now, especially because they don&#8217;t have a lot of younger guys. I do think that having a lot of veteran voices in the room does help when it comes to accountability. If everyone has been in the league for a long time, then they know what the standard is. I think it&#8217;s helped in these playoffs but that also might just be a product of this core being very battle-tested.
Liam Horrobin:
Age is just a number! I always hate hearing that they&#8217;re the oldest team in the league because it&#8217;s so flawed. Yes, <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2025/05/30/edmonton-oilers-corey-perry-record-most-goals-single-postseason-39-years-or-older/">Corey Perry</a> and Derek Ryan bring up the average age of the team, but they either play 10 minutes or, in Ryan&#8217;s case, not at all. The core of this team is in their prime years, and perhaps not even in their prime for a player like Evan Bouchard. It&#8217;s not about age, but about experience, which they all now possess.
Baggedmilk:
They may be older on paper but I don&#8217;t know that it feels like it when you watch them play right now. Do they look slow to you? They don&#8217;t to me. The puck always moves faster than people can skate, and the Oilers&#8217; are whipping that thing around right now.
<figure id="attachment_156416" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-156416" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-156416" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/USATSI_23615714-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers lose Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/USATSI_23615714-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/USATSI_23615714-300x200.jpg 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/USATSI_23615714-768x512.jpg 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/USATSI_23615714-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/USATSI_23615714-2048x1366.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-156416" class="wp-caption-text">Jun 24, 2024; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Edmonton Oilers look on after the defeat against Florida Panthers in game seven of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena.</figcaption></figure>
2) Yves asks &#8211; On paper, it looks like both the Oilers and Panthers are better than they were last year, but why do you think <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2025/05/30/ten-reasons-edmonton-oilers-can-win-stanley-cup/">Edmonton can change the outcome</a> in the rematch?
Jason Gregor:
Is Florida’s defence core better? I’m not sold that Jones/Schmidt are better than Montour/Ekman-Larsson, especially how OEL played in the playoffs. But FLA is good, however, the Oilers are better. They are healthier. McDavid and Draisaitl aren’t dealing with nagging injuries. Evander Kane is fully healthy. The Oilers forward group as a whole is bigger, more physical and just as fast as last year. And right now every player enters the final with offensive confidence.
The Oilers&#8217; blue line moves the puck better, and getting Ekholm back is a big addition to start the Final.
The Oilers also know what cost them the Cup last year. I don’t see them making similar mistakes this year. And they have home ice advantage. That is big in the Cup Final. In the salary cap era, teams who start at home are 13-6 in the Cup Final.
Tyler Yaremchuk:
I&#8217;ll go back to my first answer and talk about the experience side of things. Last year, it felt like you blinked and the series was 2-0 Panthers. I don&#8217;t think that&#8217;s going to happen again this year. There&#8217;s a lot of outside noise and extra curricular things to do when you&#8217;re in the Cup Final and the Oilers will be more used to it this year. Also, the series starting in Edmonton is huge.
Liam Horrobin:
The Oilers&#8217; blue line is better, and they have more players who can score goals.
Baggedmilk:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
2024
Ekholm &#8211; Bouchard Nurse &#8211; Ceci Kulak &#8211; Broberg/Desharnais
vs
2025
Ekholm &#8211; Bouchard Nurse &#8211; Kulak/Stecher Walman &#8211; Klingberg Emberson <a href="https://t.co/vhJcYjtdCT">pic.twitter.com/vhJcYjtdCT</a>
&mdash; Baggedmilk (@jsbmbaggedmilk) <a href="https://twitter.com/jsbmbaggedmilk/status/1928461928357302534?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
This is my answer. The Oilers&#8217; blue line is so much better this year than it was a year ago, and that ability to move the puck quickly should help against the Panthers&#8217; forecheck.
<figure id="attachment_174416" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-174416" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-174416" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/USATSI_26068777-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers Connor Brown" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/USATSI_26068777-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/USATSI_26068777-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/USATSI_26068777-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/USATSI_26068777-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/USATSI_26068777-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-174416" class="wp-caption-text">May 1, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Connor Brown (28) celebrates after scoring a goal during the third period against the Los Angelos Kings in game six of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure>
3) Andrew asks &#8211; Who would you pull out of the lineup <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2025/05/28/edmonton-oilers-rule-out-connor-brown-game-5-dallas-stars/">if Connor Brown can go</a> for Game 1 of the Final?
Jason Gregor:
Jeff Skinner. He’s done his job, and if an injury occurs, he’d come right back in, but he won’t play in the top-six and Frederic and Podkolzin are better suited to play bottom six roles.
Tyler Yaremchuk:
Jeff Skinner is the easy answer but considering he scored and looked pretty good last game, I would consider maybe keeping him in and taking out Trent Frederic as well. I would bet on it being Skinner who sits but Frederic has been pretty underwhelming for the most part these playoffs. I would maybe keep him for Game 1 and if he doesn&#8217;t bring it or you feel like you need a fresh look, go to Skinner in Game 2.
Liam Horrobin:
It&#8217;s likely Jeff Skinner. You need the physicality that Viktor Arvidsson and Trent Frederic bring against a team like the Panthers.
Baggedmilk:
We all know it&#8217;s Jeff Skinner. You may not like it, and maybe that&#8217;s why you asked, but we all know it will be Jeff Skinner.
<figure id="attachment_173644" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-173644" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-173644" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/USATSI_25197142-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/USATSI_25197142-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/USATSI_25197142-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/USATSI_25197142-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/USATSI_25197142-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/USATSI_25197142-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-173644" class="wp-caption-text">Jan 15, 2025; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (29) and forward Connor McDavid (97) talk before a face-off against the Minnesota Wild during the third period at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure>
4) Brendyn asks &#8211; I know everyone says there are lessons to be learned after <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2024/06/25/the-pain-is-real-but-im-proud-of-the-edmonton-oilers/">losing in the Stanley Cup Final</a> like the Oilers did last year, but what do you think those might be? How can they use last year&#8217;s pain to fuel this year&#8217;s success?
Jason Gregor:
Don’t waste good efforts. The Oilers didn’t follow their shooting plan in the first three games. They shot at Bobrovsky’s strengths. In games 4-6 they shot at his weaknesses and scored 18 goals. I think they learned a lot, and they know the pain of losing, just like Florida did last year after losing in 2023. That is a major motivator.
Tyler Yaremchuk:
A lot of it is certainly emotional. Being able to understand the importance of every moment and not being overwhelmed by everything that goes into the Stanley Cup Final. The other side of this is that the Oilers won&#8217;t be surprised by the Panthers. I think that familiarity benefits the Oilers.
Liam Horrobin:
Everything matters. There&#8217;s no time to take a second off, and you need to stay within the game. I think back to Game 3, when they fell asleep for a few minutes, and then they were down 4-1. You can&#8217;t have those blips in the Final.
Baggedmilk:
I think the lesson has to be to bear down, execute on your chances, and know that you&#8217;re never out of games until they&#8217;re over.
<figure id="attachment_166689" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-166689" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-166689" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/USATSI_25022835-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers vs Florida Panthers" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/USATSI_25022835-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/USATSI_25022835-300x200.jpg 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/USATSI_25022835-768x512.jpg 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/USATSI_25022835-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/USATSI_25022835-2048x1366.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-166689" class="wp-caption-text">Dec 16, 2024; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) looks to make a pass in front of Florida Panthers defensemen Niko Mikkola (77) during the third period at Rogers Place.</figcaption></figure>
5) Oilers fan in Van asks &#8211; No playoff series is ever truly equal, but I think this one is pretty close. What advantages do you see either side having over the other?
Jason Gregor:
Edmonton has better high-end skill.
Florida is a better forechecking team.
Edmonton’s defensive core is more mobile and moves the puck better.
Edmonton has a better power play.
Florida has a better PK.
But which team will be able to impose their “advantages” in the series. On paper advantages don’t mean much if you don’t use them on the ice.
Tyler Yaremchuk:
Home ice, again, is big. Other than that, the Oilers&#8217; forward depth is way better than it was a year ago. Also, their blue line is so much better at moving the puck. That last part I think could really surprise the Panthers.
Liam Horrobin:
The Oilers have the two best players in the series. The forward depth and blueline are close, but the Oilers gamebreakers will make the difference.
Baggedmilk:
I think the Oilers&#8217; ability to move the puck from the back end will be a big change from last year. It&#8217;s not just Bouchard, Ekholm, and Kulak who can make a pass this year.
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Edmonton Oilers king of the hill photoshop

Good morning, everyone, and a happy Monday to you all. I've got a fresh mailbag ready to go, after taking your questions and sending them to the crew for their take on whatever's on your mind. This week, we're discussing the Edmonton Oilers as an older team, the <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2025/05/29/oilers-will-host-panthers-for-game-1-of-stanley-cup-final-on-wednesday/">Stanley Cup rematch against the Panthers</a>, and more. If you’ve got a question you’d like to ask, email it to me at <a class="text-accent" href="mailto:baggedmilk@oilersnation.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">baggedmilk@oilersnation.com</a> or on Twitter at <a class="text-accent" href="https://www.twitter.com/jsbmbaggedmilk" rel="noopener noreferrer">@jsbmbaggedmilk</a>, and I’ll get to you as soon as I can.



[caption id="attachment_176021" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-176021" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/P-PERRY-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers forward Corey Perry" width="1024" height="683" /> May 29, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Edmonton Oilers right wing Corey Perry (90) reacts after scoring a goal against the Dallas Stars in game five of the Western Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images[/caption]

1) Rick from Dallas (happy guy) asks - A lot was made early in the season about us having the oldest team in the league. From where I am sitting, I feel that this has turned out to be a positive. The maturity in the room has had an obvious impact, as the team has had to deal with both highs and lows. The veterans have been able to keep the younger guys focused and on task. Thoughts???

Jason Gregor:

The Oilers don’t really have any younger guys. Evan Bouchard is the second youngest player on<a href="https://oilersnation.com/combinations"> the team</a>, but he has loads of playoff experience. Having experience helps, no question, and last season’s loss in the Cup Final taught them a  lot, but is also a big motivator. Some felt the Oilers were slow and old, and they did play slower to start the season, but the playoff lineup isn’t slow.

Tyler Yaremchuk:

I mean, it's hard to answer that without being in the room. When it comes to keeping the younger guys in check, I'm not sure if that was ever an issue before for the Oilers so it's hard to call it a positive now, especially because they don't have a lot of younger guys. I do think that having a lot of veteran voices in the room does help when it comes to accountability. If everyone has been in the league for a long time, then they know what the standard is. I think it's helped in these playoffs but that also might just be a product of this core being very battle-tested.

Liam Horrobin:

Age is just a number! I always hate hearing that they're the oldest team in the league because it's so flawed. Yes, <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2025/05/30/edmonton-oilers-corey-perry-record-most-goals-single-postseason-39-years-or-older/">Corey Perry</a> and Derek Ryan bring up the average age of the team, but they either play 10 minutes or, in Ryan's case, not at all. The core of this team is in their prime years, and perhaps not even in their prime for a player like Evan Bouchard. It's not about age, but about experience, which they all now possess.

Baggedmilk:

They may be older on paper but I don't know that it feels like it when you watch them play right now. Do they look slow to you? They don't to me. The puck always moves faster than people can skate, and the Oilers' are whipping that thing around right now.

[caption id="attachment_156416" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-156416" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/USATSI_23615714-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers lose Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final" width="1024" height="683" /> Jun 24, 2024; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Edmonton Oilers look on after the defeat against Florida Panthers in game seven of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena.[/caption]

2) Yves asks - On paper, it looks like both the Oilers and Panthers are better than they were last year, but why do you think <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2025/05/30/ten-reasons-edmonton-oilers-can-win-stanley-cup/">Edmonton can change the outcome</a> in the rematch?

Jason Gregor:

Is Florida’s defence core better? I’m not sold that Jones/Schmidt are better than Montour/Ekman-Larsson, especially how OEL played in the playoffs. But FLA is good, however, the Oilers are better. They are healthier. McDavid and Draisaitl aren’t dealing with nagging injuries. Evander Kane is fully healthy. The Oilers forward group as a whole is bigger, more physical and just as fast as last year. And right now every player enters the final with offensive confidence.

The Oilers' blue line moves the puck better, and getting Ekholm back is a big addition to start the Final.

The Oilers also know what cost them the Cup last year. I don’t see them making similar mistakes this year. And they have home ice advantage. That is big in the Cup Final. In the salary cap era, teams who start at home are 13-6 in the Cup Final.

Tyler Yaremchuk:

I'll go back to my first answer and talk about the experience side of things. Last year, it felt like you blinked and the series was 2-0 Panthers. I don't think that's going to happen again this year. There's a lot of outside noise and extra curricular things to do when you're in the Cup Final and the Oilers will be more used to it this year. Also, the series starting in Edmonton is huge.

Liam Horrobin:

The Oilers' blue line is better, and they have more players who can score goals.

Baggedmilk:

https://twitter.com/jsbmbaggedmilk/status/1928461928357302534

This is my answer. The Oilers' blue line is so much better this year than it was a year ago, and that ability to move the puck quickly should help against the Panthers' forecheck.

[caption id="attachment_174416" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-174416" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/USATSI_26068777-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers Connor Brown" width="1024" height="683" /> May 1, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Connor Brown (28) celebrates after scoring a goal during the third period against the Los Angelos Kings in game six of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images[/caption]

3) Andrew asks - Who would you pull out of the lineup <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2025/05/28/edmonton-oilers-rule-out-connor-brown-game-5-dallas-stars/">if Connor Brown can go</a> for Game 1 of the Final?

Jason Gregor:

Jeff Skinner. He’s done his job, and if an injury occurs, he’d come right back in, but he won’t play in the top-six and Frederic and Podkolzin are better suited to play bottom six roles.

Tyler Yaremchuk:

Jeff Skinner is the easy answer but considering he scored and looked pretty good last game, I would consider maybe keeping him in and taking out Trent Frederic as well. I would bet on it being Skinner who sits but Frederic has been pretty underwhelming for the most part these playoffs. I would maybe keep him for Game 1 and if he doesn't bring it or you feel like you need a fresh look, go to Skinner in Game 2.

Liam Horrobin:

It's likely Jeff Skinner. You need the physicality that Viktor Arvidsson and Trent Frederic bring against a team like the Panthers.

Baggedmilk:

We all know it's Jeff Skinner. You may not like it, and maybe that's why you asked, but we all know it will be Jeff Skinner.

[caption id="attachment_173644" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-173644" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/USATSI_25197142-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid" width="1024" height="683" /> Jan 15, 2025; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (29) and forward Connor McDavid (97) talk before a face-off against the Minnesota Wild during the third period at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images[/caption]

4) Brendyn asks - I know everyone says there are lessons to be learned after <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2024/06/25/the-pain-is-real-but-im-proud-of-the-edmonton-oilers/">losing in the Stanley Cup Final</a> like the Oilers did last year, but what do you think those might be? How can they use last year's pain to fuel this year's success?

Jason Gregor:

Don’t waste good efforts. The Oilers didn’t follow their shooting plan in the first three games. They shot at Bobrovsky’s strengths. In games 4-6 they shot at his weaknesses and scored 18 goals. I think they learned a lot, and they know the pain of losing, just like Florida did last year after losing in 2023. That is a major motivator.

Tyler Yaremchuk:

A lot of it is certainly emotional. Being able to understand the importance of every moment and not being overwhelmed by everything that goes into the Stanley Cup Final. The other side of this is that the Oilers won't be surprised by the Panthers. I think that familiarity benefits the Oilers.

Liam Horrobin:

Everything matters. There's no time to take a second off, and you need to stay within the game. I think back to Game 3, when they fell asleep for a few minutes, and then they were down 4-1. You can't have those blips in the Final.

Baggedmilk:

I think the lesson has to be to bear down, execute on your chances, and know that you're never out of games until they're over.

[caption id="attachment_166689" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-166689" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/USATSI_25022835-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers vs Florida Panthers" width="1024" height="683" /> Dec 16, 2024; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) looks to make a pass in front of Florida Panthers defensemen Niko Mikkola (77) during the third period at Rogers Place.[/caption]

5) Oilers fan in Van asks - No playoff series is ever truly equal, but I think this one is pretty close. What advantages do you see either side having over the other?

Jason Gregor:

Edmonton has better high-end skill.

Florida is a better forechecking team.

Edmonton’s defensive core is more mobile and moves the puck better.

Edmonton has a better power play.

Florida has a better PK.

But which team will be able to impose their “advantages” in the series. On paper advantages don’t mean much if you don’t use them on the ice.

Tyler Yaremchuk:

Home ice, again, is big. Other than that, the Oilers' forward depth is way better than it was a year ago. Also, their blue line is so much better at moving the puck. That last part I think could really surprise the Panthers.

Liam Horrobin:

The Oilers have the two best players in the series. The forward depth and blueline are close, but the Oilers gamebreakers will make the difference.

Baggedmilk:

I think the Oilers' ability to move the puck from the back end will be a big change from last year. It's not just Bouchard, Ekholm, and Kulak who can make a pass this year.
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