Evan Bouchard believes his team can do more to keep the Panthers away from the blue paint.

"We have to do a better job boxing them out early when we can," the Oilers defenceman said. "Getting to them early, that’s the biggest thing."

Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk set an effective screen on the Dmitry Kulikov goal in Game 2. There was some contact with Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner on the play.

"He’s fighting for his ice just like they are," Bouchard said. "He’s got to keep doing that and we gotta do a better job for him in front ... When they are there it’s a matter of getting them out of there or fronting the puck and don’t let it get to the net."

Kris Knoblauch is willing to cut his team some slack. The Oilers coach pointed out that his players are doing a good job getting to Florida's net even though the Panthers do a good job boxing out.

"It’s almost impossible to keep them away from the net," Knoblauch said. "You’re going to find ways to get there."

Sam Bennett scored after bumping into Skinner in Game 1. The Oilers challenged the call, but the officials ruled that Bennett was tripped into Skinner by defenceman Brett Kulak.

"A lot of times there’s nothing you can do if he gets pushed," said Panthers defenceman Aaron Ekblad. "Just like Corey Perry, he’s extremely good at getting there and being between the d-man and a goalie so there’s not much you can do. So, if you get pushed you get pushed. It is what it is. Those guys have a knack for it."

Knoblauch, who had no regrets about the failed Game 1 challenge which led to a Panthers power-play goal, said his team must maintain faith in the officials.

"You just hopefully trust the referees that they can uphold the standard on what’s goaltender interference, what should be allowed and what shouldn’t," the second-year bench boss said. "We control........

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