'We Are In The Final For A Reason': Corey Perry Keeps Oilers' Cup Final Loss In Perspective

EDMONTON – “That’s hockey.”

You win some, you lose some.

In the words of Edmonton Oilers forward Corey Perry, who knows more about puck than I do, that’s just hockey.

Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss the latest news, game-day coverage, and more. 

After the euphoria in Edmonton in the wake of their Game 1 victory, the City of Champions is picking itself up after a Game 2 defeat. They lost a double-overtime heartbreaker to the Florida Panthers, who tied up the series 1-1.

Trending Oilers Stories

4 Reasons There Needs To Be A Connor McDavid BiopicEDMONTON – Movies are forever.

What Do Oilers Fans Chant? Playoffs Edition

‘I Really Hope We Score’: Oilers’ Stuart Skinner And His Remarkable Talent Of Staying Ready

Oilers Secretive Of New Victory Song, “Pink Pony Club”

EXCLUSIVE: Mark Messier On Oilers, Budweiser, His Future & More

Oilers’ Corey Perry Is Their Big Playoff X-FactorEDMONTON – Every team has one.

“We made some great plays, they capitalized on some plays where we could have been there,” Perry told reporters after the game. “One mistake and it gets magnified, and it did tonight.”

One of those great plays came from the mind (and stick) of Connor McDavid. He made a tremendous play on Leon Draisaitl’s powerplay goal that put everybody’s head into a tailspin.

The second period was another sore spot for the Oilers in Game 2, which isn’t surprising given that the Panthers were down 3-2 after the opening 20 minutes.

Perry discussed how the Panthers executed their strategy, a style that the Oilers can also employ. 

“We talk about it all the time; you hem them in and roll the lines over, keep them tired,” Perry revealed. “That’s the way we play. They’re going to do it as well; they’re a great team.” 

Perry shines in moments like these. His calm optimism mirrors that of McDavid and head coach Kris Knoblauch. He hasn’t lost sight of what the Cup Finals are – the two best teams going toe-to-toe until one bests the other.

“They’re a good team, like I keep saying,” Perry stated. “They’re going to push us to the max, and we’re going to push them to the max.”

Best on best is the name of the game. The Oilers were never going to sweep the Panthers in the Cup Final. But if the Cup Final from last year taught us anything, it’s to expect everything.

You win some, you lose some, that’s just hockey. Get a good night’s sleep and move on to the next game. The series is tied 1-1 heading back to Florida.

The Oilers got to this position by taking the regular season one game at a time. Perry has carried that mentality into the postseason. And the Oilers will get another crack at the can on Monday for Game 3.

“Yeah, it’s frustrating right now, but we are in the final for a reason.”

Add us to your Google News favourites, and never miss a story.

Read the full article here