Panthers strike first as Verhaeghe opens Stanley Cup Final scoring
Watch as Aleksander Barkov sets up Carter Verhaeghe, who beats Stuart Skinner, and buries the first goal of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final.
The Florida Panthers scored the ever-important first goal in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final on their first shot of the night, but they also highlighted a disturbing trend for the Edmonton Oilers‘ netminder.
Stuart Skinner has allowed a goal on the first shot he’s faced for the fourth time these playoffs and for the 11th time this season, per Sportsnet Stats.
The Panthers were able to slide one past the Oilers’ starter just under four minutes into the game off the rush, as Carter Verhaeghe scored off a cross-ice pass from Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov.
In doing so, Verhaeghe became the first player to score on their team’s first shot in the Stanley Cup Final since Mike Fisher did so for the Ottawa Senators in 2007.
A troubling start for the 25-year-old goalie, who rebounded in the Western Conference Final after a disappointing Round 2 against the Vancouver Canucks. Skinner was sat in favour of backup Calvin Pickard for Games 5 and 6 against the Canucks, but played in Game 7 to help the Oilers to a 3-2 win and avoid elimination.
Skinner was able to recover against the Dallas Stars in the third round, earning an average .916 save percentage over six games, including a .971 save percentage — 34 shots faced, one goal allowed — in the series-clinching Game 6.
He was able to keep the game within reach as the opening frame continued, but if the Oilers are to win Canada’s first Stanley Cup since 1993, Skinner needs to find a way to stop that ever-important first shot.
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