Bruce Boudreau reveals blueprint Oilers must follow

Things did not go according to plan for the Edmonton Oilers in the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers, who lead the series and have the chance to take a three games to none lead when the two teams resume the series tomorrow night in Edmonton. 

They're not aided by the fact that they've only managed to beat goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky once, courtesy of defenseman Mattias Ekholm. Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Evander Kane have all gone scoreless thus far, something that will absolutely have to chance if Edmonton's fortunes are to improve.

And one figure with plenty of Stanley Cup postseason coaching experience under his belt is Bruce Boudreau, who opined the perfect game plan that the Oilers have to follow if they are going to give themselves a realistic shot to get back into the series.

"It's pretty easy for me for a blue print," he said. "Listen, they have to change a few things, they have to shoot more. They have to get pucks inside, they need to win the 1 on 1 battles. I know it's almost archaic like it was talked about in the 60s and 70s and 80s, but in the end, this is what you have to do - win those one on one battles, get to the front of the net, and shoot pucks. It's sounds easier than it actually is, but that's what they've gotta do.

They had the fewest shots of any team in the finals after two periods, they had 10 shots in their last series in Game 6 against Dallas; they have to get to the puck and shoot it. They're trying to be too cute and fancy. We talked about that all the time, don't be cute. Shoot the puck at the net, get to the net, win the battles, and that's the blueprint if they want to have success in this series." 

Additionally, Boudreau endorsed getting somewhat physical with Bobrovsky in an effort to half his focus. 

"I think what I said before in my last answer, you have to get in his (Bobrovsky's) eyes and get him off his game," he said. "I know referees these days call everything tight, but you have to get at the end of the blue print and get in his eyes. Get two and three guys in, shoot the puck at the net, and get scrums. That's how you'll get into his kitchen." 

Bobrovsky has been outstanding in the postseason, and is a prime candidate for the Conn Smythe Trophy if the Panthers ultimately win the Stanley Cup. The Oilers are going to have to work to make life uncomfortable for him tomorrow night when Game 3 is played at Edmonton's Rogers Place. 

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