Getting even in the context of this year’s Stanley Cup final is more than just the Edmonton Oilers seeking revenge for losing Game 7 of the 2024 edition by one goal to the Florida Panthers. It also means the Oilers believe they’re competent at staying even, as in not too high and not too low: recovering quickly from adversity and adapting to different styles of play. Head coach Kris Knoblauch said Monday “being able to reset after a game, no matter how that game went, whether it was a 6-0 win or 8-0 loss, whatever it is” is something his team has gotten very good at. Talking to media Monday at Rogers Place, he said the Oilers’ ability these playoffs to shake off disappointing losses and go on to win games and series in short order comes from experience and wisdom. “We’ve done a good job of just putting that behind us,” Knoblauch said, referencing the Oilers’ 6-3 Game 2 loss to the Los Angeles Kings in the first round and a last-second defeat to the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 3 of their second-round series. “We’ve had some heartbreaking losses this playoff, and maybe in the past, it might have gotten to our guys. We handled those very well ... “Those can be crushing losses, but I think our guys have been on a heck of a job being able to put it aside getting ready for the next day. As you play more playoff games, the more experience you have, and we’ve got a lot of guys who’ve had that experience, you’re more equipped for the playoffs.” Defenceman Darnell Nurse describes “a sense of calm” around the team given several Oilers players had “gone through this scenario last year.” “We’re playing a team that is in their third time in a row doing it, so they’re going to have that sense as well,” Nurse told reporters. “Two teams are just excited to get this thing going, and for us in our group, I know it’s definitely a different feeling than going in last year.” Bouncing back is something made easier with experience and is one of the Oilers’ “biggest strengths,” Mattias Ekholm said. “When you’ve been there and you’ve seen it, there are no real surprises along the way,” the defenceman said. “There’s always going to be a different story that’s going to be written, and you have a different team. You have all the things that happen in the playoffs that you’ve got to withstand ... “Every time we seem to have our backs against the wall, we respond and play our best hockey, and bring it the next day.”
