Edmonton Oilers return to Florida seeking to extend Stanley Cup final again

EDMONTON — After scoring just four goals over the first three games of the Stanley Cup final, the Edmonton Oilers avoided elimination with widespread contributions they hope carry over into Tuesday’s Game 5.

Mattias Janmark, Dylan Holloway, Adam Henrique and defenceman Darnell Nurse were among foot soldiers chipping in on Edmonton’s 8-1 blowout of the Florida Panthers on Saturday to avoid a sweep and send the series back to Sunrise.

Edmonton’s stars Connor McDavid, with a goal and three assists, and Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman with their first two-point games of the final series also fuelled the Oilers who seek a win on the road for the first time in the series.

Fifteen of Edmonton’s 18 skaters registered at least one point Saturday.

Starting goalie Sergei Bobrovsky was chased from Florida’s net for Anthony Stolarz after Edmonton scored five goals on 16 shots.

Superior special teams — a short-handed goal, a power-play goal and holding Florida scoreless on four power-play chances — plus a 32-save performance from goalie Stuart Skinner were other promising Game 4 elements Edmonton wants to take with them on the return trip to Florida.

“All we can control is how we play,” Knoblauch said. “We can’t control the calls the referee makes or how the goalie on the other side plays, or . . . what the opposition does.

“We’re going to try and play our best hockey that we can. Hopefully that’s enough to win us three more games.”