Oilers' Knoblauch: Fun won't distract us from goal

In case it wasn't evident when Connor Brown jumped out of a cabinet to read the starting lineup ahead of Game 4 of the Western Conference Final, these Edmonton Oilers are enjoying themselves.

And head coach Kris Knoblauch believes that keeping it light is a strength of his squad, not a weakness.

"It's gotta be fun," he said Sunday, three days before the Oilers begin their rematch against the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final. "Playing hockey, I think when you're successful, two of the most important things are, one, you work hard, two, you're enjoying what you're doing. ... Whether it's somebody jumping out of the cupboards or whatever they're doing, I think it's important that, yes, we're very businesslike, it's important to be focused.

"But you can also have fun. I don't think that fun is going to distract anybody from what our goal is. ... I think everyone's been able to enjoy the ride."

Brown also thinks that a little joy is exactly what the Oilers need before entering the Game 1 pressure cooker Wednesday night.

"We have fun for one another, we play for one another, and it doesn't mean we play any less hard," he said. "If anything, we play harder, but it just kind of relaxes us."

Also aiding the Oilers is the valuable experience they gained from going the distance last postseason. After eliminating the Dallas Stars in Game 5 on Thursday night, Connor McDavid said his club "hasn't been as emotional" as last spring.

Leon Draisaitl agreed with his captain's assessment and brought up Edmonton's seven-game series against the Vancouver Canucks in the 2024 second round as a major lesson.

"Last year, the Vancouver series was really emotional for everyone," he explained. "Just (with) two Canadian teams, the media blowing up. There's just a lot of components that went into that series.

"I think if you ask everyone, they'll say that series felt like it took years off our lives. I think we're just a little bit more mature and know how to be in those situations and know how to stay even-keel."

McDavid left Sunday's practice early, but Knoblauch said the superstar would be fine. Brown also expects to play in Game 1 after missing the past two contests with an injury.

The puck drops on the Stanley Cup Final opener at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday.