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If Game 3 of the Edmonton Oilers-x - Florida Panthers series is like the previously wonderful pair, best way to bet is the scientific way -- flip a coin!

The Edmonton Oilers have a Little Squirt and Big Squirt. The Little Squirt came spritzing out of the brilliant #JakeWalman's (baby) bottle. The Big Squirt was the outstanding "Squirtmeister." (Wait'll he gets his hands on a water cannon. Oy Vay!)

Problems that Edmonton Oilers may have had in the road game: 1. Poor Zamboni color design; 2. Ice made of Florida water; 3. Panthers are real, live animals; Oilers are things that seem to be made from large, steel Erector sets. 4. McDavid, Inc. distracted by the sheltering palms!

Forget the 6-1 score; it will not portend anything in a series that can go either way. We learned that lesson last year: never underestimate the power of the firm of McDavid, Inc. Nor McDonald's Vanilla Shakes! (Chocolate not too bad either!)

The #EdmontonOilers #StuSkinner is a "mensch" for his candid analysis of his game in Game 3. A good fella and good teammate. Evander Kane is hissing and moaning about "officiating" -- no surprise, his club lost -- advice to EK from The Maven: "Hey buddy, try refereeing!" Ugh!!!

The Maven sees an Edmonton Oilers comeback win tonight against the strong but still vulnerable x - Florida Panthers. Expect the Albertans to get stout goaltending, get first goal and, from there, #McDavid, Inc. will live up to their notices. I picked Oil in 5, it could be Oil in 6.

Does the Anaheim Ducks #PatVerbeek actually believe he's got an asset in #ChrisKreider? I wonder with considerable doubt.

Ah! "The Dreaded 3-Goal Lead. It was invented -- perhaps by The Maven on Long Island -- and it was spread to Sunrise. Kudos to coach Knoblauch for a tactical, deft goalie switch. Kudos to x - Florida Panthers for the late 3d period comeback. YAY! To both teams for this super Cup Final.

Here's the deal on tonight and Game 6. (I believe only the great author Dick Irvin will understand.) Edmonton Oilers will win both games because of "The Unseen Hand." Attrition has finally caught up to x - Florida Panthers, especially heroic Bob who'll be outgoaled by a younger foe.

The x - Florida Panthers completely destroyed The Maven's prediction. Bob outgoaled Cal; The Cats destroyed my "Attrition" theory and #Draisaitl either went DRY or auditioned for The Invisible Man. Still could go 7 games and wouldn't that be fun! Meanwhile, a YAY for Cats and road win.

Momentum is a myth in the playoffs. Expect the Edmonton Oilers to produce a STRONG effort in Florida. Nothing is in the bag for either team. If you want the winner, flip a coin.

It's totally absurd to write off the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6. Very wrong as The Maven has been when it comes to predicting -- originally said Oil in 5 -- I'm sure they'll win Game 6 and we'd have the coveted Game 7. Bob's goaltending -- at his age no less -- very impressive!

My Dad made me what I am today. I miss him plenty.

The Edmonton Oilers are good at brinkmanship & the x - Florida Panthers are not so hotly-totsy at home. I see the Oil spreading 2 straight wins over one of the most admirable teams in NHL history. But there is such a thing as The Law of Averages & it's gotta catch up the wonderful Cats.

The Maven's "gut feeling" was that Edmonton Oilers #McDavid,#Leon would show "their best" and win Games 6&7. But it was x - Florida Panthers guts performance which deleted any gut feeling. HAIL TO THE CHAMPS who even in losing 2 proved the better TEAM. Another Cup triumph for Uncle Sam!

All things considered this was one of the most gripping, exciting matchups in NHL memory. Hail to both clubs for showing Cup Final Hockey at its very best. Cheers to the Champs -- solid from Bob in goal to the Rams, the solid defense and, very important, to coach #PaulMaurice!

From a purely historic perspective, the x - Florida Panthers now stand among the best NHL teams of all-time. Major kudos to ownership, manager & the one and only Paul Maurice. (He could have done standup in The Borscht Belt in 1950 when The Maven was on drums.) Guess what? A 3d in 2026!

Instead of wondering why Edmonton Oilers McDavid-Leon duet flattened out in Games 5 & 6, the City with the team that legally lost is still whining about officiating & NHL doing due diligence re #EvanderKane. Hint: Worry about your goaltending & D & failure to play a team game.

A ton of media covered the Cup Final but The Maven's choice for "Best Line" comes via legendary Edmonton scribe Jim Matheson who wrote: "The Oilers were basically infield practice for Florida after the first two games." YAY, MATTY! ("Infield practice!" Love it!)

The Toronto Sun's Steve Simmons -- who The Maven rates as the best sportswriter on the continent -- rates the champ Troy Rumfelt one of the all-time great NHL teams. From the many Cup-winners I've seen, I agree!