Oilers’ first-period struggles continue in Game 6 vs. Panthers

It was not the first period the Edmonton Oilers had hoped for in this do-or-die Game 6 against the Florida Panthers.

Before the opening 20 minutes ended, the Oilers found themselves in a 2-0 hole and although not ideal, it’s not unfamiliar — Edmonton’s first-period struggles have been the story of the Stanley Cup Final.

The Panthers have out-scored the Oilers 13-4 across all six first periods of the series and have not allowed Connor McDavid’s team to score an opening-period goal since Game 2 of the series. In that time, the Panthers have scored nine first-period goals.

The plus-nine scoring differential is the largest in any playoff series in at least the last 10 years, Sportsnet Stats can confirm.

Additionally, that differential is the highest in the Stanley Cup Final since 1991, when the Pittsburgh Penguins achieved the same differential against the North Stars, and seconded by the 1997 Oilers against the Philadelphia Flyers (plus-eight).

It’s not just scoring — the Panthers also have the Oilers beat in first-period shot attempts (148-116), power-play goals (5-1) and save percentage (.933-.790).

These struggles haven’t significantly limited their success this Cup Final, as they’ve taken the series to six games despite leading for just 33:51, compared to the Panthers’ 200:25 time spent ahead.

It’s now up to the Oilers to find a way to overcome the Panthers’ 10-0 record when scoring first in a series-clinching game.