EDMONTON – A big part of the Florida Panthers’ winning formula in the Stanley Cup Playoffs the past three seasons has been closing out games when they had the lead.
Not being able to do that in their 4-3 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place on Wednesday provided the Panthers with their biggest lesson as they look ahead to what they hope will be a long series.
“Don’t sit back,” Panthers center Sam Bennett said. “We’ve been really good all year at not sitting back with the lead and for whatever reason we sat back tonight.”
Leon Draisaitl ’s game-winning power-play goal at 19:29 of overtime came with Tomas Nosek in the penalty box after shooting the puck over the glass for a delay of game minor at 18:17. But the Panthers knew Nosek’s