The Stanley Cup Final could end as early as tonight…
while it seems like the Celtics are just getting started.
Oilers Look To Keep Momentum
What Happened: It took until Game 4, but the Oilers finally woke up and found their offense. An 8-1 victory on Saturday saw the Oilers double their goal tally from the previous three games.
The question now is, how do the Panthers bounce back from that spanking, and can Edmonton carry over enough momentum to push this series to a Game 6?
Why It Matters: Every game is must win now for Connor McDavid and his team. But a victory in Game 5 would send the series back to Canada and give the Western Conference champs a better shot at pushing this Final to its absolute limit.
Per ESPNBET, the Panthers are -140 favorites to end it all tonight and lift the Cup, with the Oilers as +120 ‘dogs.
But if Edmonton’s offense can carry this team to a second win, the odds become more favorable that the series goes seven games (+280) than it ends after six (+325).
Florida hasn’t been punched in the mouth much this postseason. Before this 8-1 drubbing, the Panthers had only lost two games by more than a goal so far, and the last time was all the way back on May 6th (a 5-1 loss to the Bruins.) Their answer will dictate whether the Oilers are really back in this series, or Florida’s redemption tour is finally complete.
How We’re Feeling Today
Afraid we have to ask the question, but are the Celtics just getting started?
This team just ran through the regular season, Eastern Conference, and NBA Finals with relative ease. Their two stars (Jayson Tatum and NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown) are 26 and 27 years old. Joe Mazzulla, the team’s coach, has captured a title in just his second season on an NBA bench. Brad Stevens, who made the leap from coaching to the front office, isn’t going anywhere.
In the East, Jalen Brunson and the Knicks seem poised to contend, and when the Milwaukee Bucks are healthy, they can beat anybody in the NBA. But we just saw the Celtics do the damn thing, and there’s little reason to believe they are due for a step back anytime soon.
Strap in Boston haters: things might get worse before they get better.
The Look Ahead
Triston McKenzie STRIKEOUTS – McKenzie’s first start of the season came against the Mariners and he generated just two whiffs. But since then, Seattle has established itself as the strikeouts king of Major League Baseball, with more than 20 swings-and-misses than any other team. McKenzie’s line is 5.5 strikeouts, a line he’s gotten over in six of his last 10 starts. If the M’s continue to do their part, McKenzie should be able to surpass this number.
