### How the Oilers Should Respond to the Florida Panthers’ Aggressive Play: Bob Stauffer’s Take
Bob Stauffer, an insider for the Edmonton Oilers, shared his insights on “Oilers Now” regarding how Edmonton should counter the physical and crafty play of the Florida Panthers: “The current game management allows sneaky, dirty players to thrive a bit. I’m just saying the Oilers need to embrace their inner rat.”
When it was suggested that Edmonton should retaliate against any Florida player who targets Connor McDavid, Stauffer responded, “Who says you target that guy? Go after their best skilled players. That’s how this game is played.”
Stauffer emphasized: “The Panthers have won the gamesmanship battle in the first two games. Edmonton needs to play with more speed. Now that we know the referees’ standard, we have to deliver some hits too. Edmonton needs to pick up the pace, as Kris Knoblauch emphasized today, and finish checks on their players. If they face wash McDavid or choke hold Bouchard, well, Hudson Bay rules apply. No problem with that.”
### What are Hudson Bay Rules?
Harrison Brookes of Pique Magazine explains that “Hudson Bay Rules” in hockey mean: “Bush-league hockey, where referees let players beat each other up throughout the game.”
### Analysis and Commentary
1. **Stauffer’s Advice**: Bob Stauffer is spot on. In previous series, Edmonton outplayed their opponents by being more patient, aggressive, disciplined, and opportunistic. To beat Florida, they need to be fiercer and more strategic, embracing their inner “rat.”
2. **Hit Statistics**: The series has seen 94 hits from Florida to Edmonton’s 62. Sam Bennett’s hit on Philip Broberg was particularly aggressive and dangerous, targeting the head and leaving his feet. Bennett’s hit on Evan Bouchard was similarly reckless, but neither Broberg nor Bouchard stayed down, quickly getting back up with determination.
3. **Edmonton’s Reaction**: Some Edmonton fans are skeptical about Barkov and Eetu Luostarinen’s reactions after being hit, especially Luostarinen, who had a minor collision with Warren Foegele. Next time, if these incidents seem exaggerated, Edmonton fans might mockingly chant, “Faker! Faker! Faker!”
4. **Oilers’ Strategy**: The focus shouldn’t be on fan complaints about diving or Bennett’s recklessness. If Florida’s players are embellishing, it’s working in their favor. Edmonton needs to adapt by slashing and poking at Florida’s key players like Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk, and harassing Barkov consistently. This approach could shift the momentum in their favor.
### Cult of Hockey Coverage
– **STAPLES**: ‘Oilers not dead yet,’ says hockey world grand elder statesman
– **McCURDY**: All mix things up for Game 3
– **STAPLES**: Panthers employing time-honoured hack-and-whack style vs. McDavid
– **STAPLES**: Fancy that! Draisaitl deserves suspension, agree Canucks, Kings & Flames pundits
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