I have to admit, I'm also a bit concerned.
I don't care if it takes Game 5 or Game 6 or Game 7, I just don't want Edmonton making a historical comeback.
What do I have against the Oilers? I hate them, every litttle bit of them. And this goes back to the 70's...and was ramped up ever since the days of Dave Semenko in the 80's...and I'll never forget the night Esa Tikkanen elbowed my favorite player (Bernie Nicholls) in the face, right in front of me, I think in 1987.
They've always been scumbags, even their coaches (Glen Sather was The Worst), and that legacy of scumbaggery lives on.
As bad as the last game was, I LOVED seeing Tkachuk sucker punch McDickhead (three times!). Hopefully there will be more of that tonight. I hope they stomp the OIlers guts out.
If the Panthers lose tonight, my concern will be highly elevated. Going back to Edmonton for Game 6 up one game is not an ideal situation.
The Panthers have to win tonight.
Seems like we have some nervous people!
I do not dismiss the anxiety about how this series is going to play out.
Mostly, I think this stress is of course due to our undying disgust (even hate) for the Oilers.
Speaking only for myself, I despise EDM. Top to bottom, everything about them makes me sick and angry. I despise them so much it makes me sick just to even begin to list all the reasons.
As was pointed out, the Oilers have certainly had streaks this year where they were rolling. That’s a cause for concern.
One thing I believe about the Oilers is that they are front runners. They’re fine when things are going their way. They play great when it’s easy.
I don’t think they are the type of team that gets out of a rut easily.
Early in the series EDM looked a bit scared of the bright lights. One thing the 3-0 hole did was get past the fear of losing. Game 3 in particular took away the Oilers hope. They looked defeated. Game 4 actually gave them some hope. That game was just strange. Early FL seemed OK, hit a couple posts, had some pretty good chances. But a few uncommon Panther breakdowns allowed the Oilers some goals and off they went. The game got away from FL and the Oilers piled on.
From the outset FL has been the better, deeper and more experienced team. They also have the better goalie, and the better defense.
I honestly doubt Game 4 meant much of anything to the Panthers. I seriously doubt it did anything to cause them to lose any confidence. JFC, they are still up 3-1!
I suspect Game 4 was nothing more than a blip. I expect FL to show up ready to win tonight. And I think they will.