3 Oilers Who Need To Have Break Out Series Against The Florida Panthers

As the Edmonton Oilers get ready to face the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup finals there are going to be a lot of things that have to go right for the Oilers to hoist the cup. We all know that Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman are going to bring their "A" game, but there are also some players who haven't made a big difference and will need to step up. Here are my top 3 players that need to step up.

Evander Kane

In the series against the Dallas Stars, Evander Kane went from being on a line centred by Leon Draisaitl to being on a line centred by Adam Henrique. While the line of Henrique, Holloway and Kane has not been bad, it is going to need to start contributing offensively. Kane is the leader on that line, both physically and offensively. Of the three players, Kane is the one who should be getting the majority of the goals.

Coming into these playoffs Kane informed the media that he had been suffering from a sports hernia. While you couldn't notice him in any sort of pain, you can see it in some plays that he takes a little bit off. It also appeared that he may have tweaked something in game 6, but he did come back and finish the game.

Through the 18 games he has played so far this playoffs Kane only has 8 points, of those 4 of them have been goals. If the Oilers have any hope of winning the cup I think Kane will need to improve those stats. This could be a series where his physicality could be leaned on though.

If you look at the Panthers roster their team goes as Matthew Tkachuk goes. If you can remember the series a couple of years ago when the Oilers were facing the Calgary Flames, Kane completely took Tkachuk completely out of the series. If Kane can do that again then the Oilers will be in good shape.

Darnell Nurse

There is no doubt that Darnell Nurse is a pivotal figure for the Edmonton Oilers' defense. If the Oilers aspire to win this series, Nurse must not only be one of their top defensemen but also one of their best overall players. So far in the playoffs, Nurse’s performance has been middling.

Throughout the first 18 games of the playoffs, Nurse has recorded 3 assists. However, the statistic drawing the most attention from Oilers fans is his plus/minus rating, which stands at an alarming -13. This is the lowest on the team, with the next closest players, Warren Foegele and Vincent Desharnais, both at -8.

It’s important to note that neither Foegele nor Desharnais were in the lineup for the Oilers at the end of their series against the Stars. While it’s unlikely both players will be benched for the entirety of the current series, their absence highlights the coach’s belief in Nurse’s critical role despite his struggles. This decision underscores that Nurse is an integral part of the team’s defensive strategy.

For the Oilers to advance, Nurse needs to elevate his game and become a standout performer. He has the potential to disrupt the Panthers' offensive flow and, if he can contribute more on the offensive end, it would significantly bolster the Oilers' chances of capturing the Stanley Cup.

Beyond his on-ice responsibilities, Nurse is also a leader off the ice. In this series, he needs to step up and lead by example during gameplay. We have witnessed his capabilities in past performances, particularly in the latter games against the Dallas Stars. His teammates have shown their support, but now Nurse must validate their trust with tangible results on the ice.

Darnell Nurse's role is crucial for the Oilers’ success. His defensive skills and potential offensive contributions are essential. Nurse’s ability to rise to the occasion could very well determine the outcome of the series and, ultimately, the Oilers’ championship aspirations.