This is the season one finale review, Part II of the Cup or Bust episode. This time, a champion would be crown. Today, we at Last Word On Hockey bring you yet another of the Prime Video television series “Faceoff.” As we feature the final two episodes, aptly named Cup or Bust. For the two team’s involved, the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers, those words couldn’t be any realer. Heading into the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, it really was the buzz following both teams.
The Faceoff Series, Season 1, Episode 6: Cup or Bust, Part II
In Part I, we did as the show did, and discussed the story behind the man, Connor McDavid. Then, for Part II, we switch gears. For it, we look at superstars on the other end of the spectrum of superstardom. In case you haven’t realized it yet, the Tkachuk family truly are made for television. Heck, it’s even led to Brady and Matthew starting their own podcast, the first active-NHL player podcast. For those who haven’t checked it out, it’s called The Wingmen.
The Tkachuks, and it started with their dad Keith Tkachuk, are simply showmen. As a whole, it’s great for the sport, the culture, the community. It’s refreshing to see the personalities, in its true and purest form, just like in this show. In addition, it allows the fans to relate. Yes, the Tkachuks may take some things to the extreme, but at the end of the day, you see how humble they are.
But hey, we are here to talk about the results on the ice, too. In Part I, we left it off with the Stanley Cup Final at three-games-to-none for the Panthers. But how did these two teams even get to this point?
The Buildup to the Stanley Cup Final
Coming into the 2023-24 campaign and then the playoffs, Florida was a team on the hunt for vengeance. They felt with their group, like the Oilers, there was a sentiment of Cup or Bust. For the Panthers, having made the final in 2023, if the 2024 team couldn’t achieve the ultimate prize, their core was likely getting split up. For a team as dominant as they have been, that would’ve been a shame. Luckily, for the Panthers, they did stay together, and as time has gone, they have actually been able to get stronger.
The buildup throughout the series is well done. The casual observer might not have recognized it, but the shows does a great job of providing the timeline for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2024. Previously in the series, with all the coverage on the Panthers, it had shown them, at some juncture, getting through each of the first three rounds. All that was left, was winning.
On the other side of the rink, for Edmonton, in order to reach the final, they had to get by a strong Dallas Star team. It did help prepare them for Florida, in the sense of a greatly skilled team. However, Dallas was probably able to expose some of Edmonton’s weaknesses. That’s a trait it seems that Florida has down pat, when they sense blood, they attack, and capitalize.
Credit Image: © Luis Santana/Tampa Bay Times via ZUMA Press Wire
On to Game 4 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final (Series 3-0 Florida)
Moving on to Game 4, and as we mentioned, this was in the midst of one of the greatest stretches by an individual in Stanley Cup Final history. With Edmonton down three-games-to-none, they would need something special. It wasn’t so much something special, as a major statement. It was a must win, and the Oilers, led by McDavid, really left their mark. This game would be the first of two four-point games for Connor McDavid. In Game 4, the Oilers crushed Florida, 8-1.
Game 5 (Series 3-1 Florida)
This game started with a man possessed staring from the bench to the opening faceoff. That man was none other than Connor McDavid. Moreover, the teams would exchange chances early on. This was highlighted by a huge save by Stuart Skinner on Aaron Ekblad who was sneaking in weakside. It was just moments later that Connor Brown would spring himself on a breakaway, shorthanded, that he would finish off on the backhand against Sergei Bobrovsky. The Oilers would add a power play marker on a blast from the point by Evan Bouchard, early in the second period. McDavid kept the good times rolling for the Oilers, as he buried one low, not long afterward.
Unfortunately for Edmonton, the Florida crowd would get energized. Off a bad defensive zone turnover, Matthew Tkachuk gets sprung and goes roof daddy. 3-1.
However, this game seemed to be destined to be the McDavid show. 97 would break in and find an open Corey Perry streaking toward the goal, 4-1. The cushion seemed to be enough to get Edmonton back in the series. In contrast, Florida was just so deep, they would not go away.
Evan Rodrigues had made it 4-2 just moments after the Perry goal. This would keep Florida hanging around. Then, a little over four minutes into the third period, Oliver Ekman-Larsson was able to make it 4-3. That would set up an excellent finish. In fact, this game does have an all-time highlight. Matthew Tkachuk makes an incredible play as he saves it off the line with just 20-something seconds left of Game 5. But, just seconds after, McDavid picked up the loose puck to put the game on ice.
Game 6 (Series 3-2 Florida)
This game probably featured a team that was favourite, that hadn’t necessarily been in a position of power, all series. But by the time, this or any series for that matter, reaches game six, you begin to get the impression that the tide could go either way.
You kind of had to go with the team having won two in a row, McDavid popping off, and being the home side. Furthermore, Warren Foegele finished off a remarkable Leon Draisaitl play to open the scoring. This game featured two goals quickly in the second period. However, after the Oilers made it 2-0, just nine seconds later the (would be) 2-1 goal by Barkov went to video review due to an offside, and ended up being reversed.
Edmonton did well in this one to get the lead and control the pace of play. Both teams’ shot totals were still low. Then, Zach Hyman, as if he was catapulted across an icy battle field, shot in on a break. He used his momentum to beat Bobrovsky on the backhand, 3-0 Edmonton. There was a little scare early in the third, as Panther leader Barkov picked up a loose puck, and powered toward goal. Making 3-1 so early in the third, it could have gone either way. However, as we mentioned, Edmonton was able control the pace of play well throughout this contest. They ended up adding not one, but two empty-netters, to force the greatest game in sports. Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final.
Game 7
It all comes down to this. Game 7, winner takes all. The Stanley Cup Champion will be crowned, tonight. It did feel like, even though Edmonton had stormed back from being down 3-0, Florida was still confident. They had the home-ice advantage. Florida would go on an early power play, after a somewhat undisciplined play by Warren Foegele in front of the Florida goal. It was just seconds after the Oilers had killed the penalty, and an Evan Rodrigues shot was deflected by Carter Verhaeghe. It would be re-directed perfectly through the five-hole of Skinner.
Cody Ceci would feed Mattias Janmark on the fly moments later. He would go in and roof it, blocker side, 1-1. This game seemed to be a high-event one. It was the immense pressure of the situation, knowing it could all boil over at any minute. There’s was no sitting back, no time to breathe.
Deep into the second period, the Oilers had just managed to work the puck in front of the goal, only to wildly have it cleared by a falling Dmitry Kulikov. This would ignite Florida to go back the other way. Sam Reinhart, a guy who was money all season long, had the rush, shot and it found a way through the armour of Skinner. It seems like a long time to hold a 2-1 lead in such a pivotal contest. In the end, the Panthers depth was just too relentless for the vaunted Oiler attack.
This would end up a ferocious battle to the final moments. The Panthers were somehow able to preserve the one-goal lead all period long. The ultimate prize was all theirs. The Stanley Cup. It was well deserved.
Faceoff S1, E5 & E6, Part I, Cup or Bust with Connor McDavid and Matthew Tkachuk
What a way to end season one, with the 2024 Stanley Cup Champs being crowned, the Florida Panthers.
Main Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports