As the Edmonton Oilers prepare for Game Two of the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers, the team and its fans are buzzing with anticipation. With a chance to even up the series after a tough loss in Game One, Oilers fans have turned up in force in Florida, ready to support their team with unwavering enthusiasm.
As the Oilers gear up for the crucial Game Two, head coach Chris addressed the media regarding the team’s strategy and lineup changes. Cody Ceci will be out, with Vincent Desharnais stepping in.
Kris addressed the anticipated lineup changes. “We just have Vinnie, who’s played very well for us this year, whether it’s been through the playoffs or the regular season,” he said, confirming that Vincent would be taking Cody’s spot in the lineup. He emphasized the confidence the team has in Vincent’s ability to contribute, describing him as a “big defender” capable of moving the puck effectively. Kris noted that the insertion of new players has injected vitality into the team throughout the playoffs, yielding positive results.
When asked about the team’s mentality amid these changes, Kris highlighted the squad’s unity and commitment. “Throughout the year, I’ve talked about this team being very close, very tight, and very dedicated to winning,” he said. He praised the players for prioritizing the team’s success over individual roles, which has allowed seamless transitions despite lineup adjustments. “We haven’t missed a beat, we haven’t changed the style of play,” Kris asserted, underscoring the adaptability and focus of his players.
A challenging aspect of managing the team has been dealing with veteran players like Cody, who has been left out of the lineup. “It’s not easy,” Kris admitted. He acknowledged Cody’s significant contributions throughout the season and the difficulty in making such decisions. However, Kris reiterated the importance of making choices that he believes will benefit the team. “We feel that the lineup changes we are making, whether adding more speed, size, scoring, or a penalty killer, are going to help us move forward,” he explained, assuring that there will be opportunities for Cody to rejoin the lineup as needed.
Kris also touched on the impact of role players like Sam Carrick. “He’s been great,” Kris said, highlighting Carrick’s contributions to the penalty kill and faceoff responsibilities, especially given the team’s lack of right-handed centermen. He praised Carrick’s defensive play and physicality, which have been crucial to the team’s depth. While Carrick’s participation in the upcoming game remained uncertain, Kris confirmed that he would be part of the warm-up.
Discussing potential changes to Leon’s line, Kris remained open to experimenting. “Henri will definitely be having some shifts with Leon,” he said, though he left the final decision to be determined based on the game’s progression. He detailed the qualities he seeks in players paired with top centers like Leon and Connor, emphasizing the need for players who can manage the puck well, contribute speed, and have the finishing ability to capitalize on the playmaking skills of these elite centers.
Kris offered a thoughtful perspective on evaluating team performance beyond mere wins and losses. He emphasized the importance of consistent execution and effort. “If the performance and the execution are fairly well executed, then most times you’re going to end up on the right side,” he said. Kris acknowledged that external factors like luck and the opposition’s performance can influence outcomes but stressed the need for the team to focus on playing their best.
He warned against complacency, noting that sometimes wins could mask underlying issues. “There are times when we’re not at our best and for some reason, because of luck or goaltending, we’ll be winning games and shouldn’t be happy with just winning games,” he explained. Kris underscored the fine line between focusing on results and maintaining high performance standards, especially during the critical stages of the playoffs.
As the press conference concluded, Kris’s remarks painted a picture of a team ready to adapt and committed to collective success.
As the Oilers prepare to face the Panthers in Game Two, the optimism and support from their dedicated fan base, both local and from afar, remain a driving force. Go Oilers Go!