The Stanley Cup Final between the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers has taken an unexpectedly thrilling turn, as the Oilers have managed to rally from a seemingly insurmountable 3-0 series deficit to force a Game 6. Florida Panthers coach Paul Maurice believes the pressure has now "evened out" between the two teams.
McDavid's Impact
The resurgence of the Oilers can be credited in large part to the incredible performances of Connor McDavid. The Edmonton star has registered back-to-back four-point games, demonstrating why he is one of the most electrifying players in the NHL. This momentum shift has brought the Panthers back to Alberta, where they will face an Oilers team that now shares the burden of pressure.
With Florida having lost twice with the Stanley Cup in the building, Maurice's team is no longer the sole holder of high expectations. The Panthers had initially taken a commanding 3-0 series lead, only to see Edmonton storm back with victories in Games 4 and 5. The stakes and pressure are now more evenly distributed as the series heads into a critical Game 6 at Rogers Place on Friday night.
Reflecting on Game 5
Florida arrived back in Edmonton on Thursday, reeling from a 5-3 loss in Game 5. The Panthers, despite dominating long stretches of the game—especially in the final two periods where they managed over 80% of the shot attempts—found themselves trailing for most of the contest. At one point, they were down 4-1.
Maurice expressed optimism about his team's performance and their prospects for Game 6. "I liked our opening period more than the following 40 minutes," said Maurice. Despite their recent setbacks, the Panthers have been dominant in 5-on-5 play all year. Except for a lapse in Game 4, Florida has been consistent, and Maurice believes this consistency will serve them well as they look to clinch the series.
Consistent 5-on-5 Play
The Panthers' 5-on-5 gameplay has been their strength throughout the season. "We are comfortable against anybody in the world with our 5-on-5 game," Maurice noted. This steady performance in even-strength situations instills confidence in the team as they prepare for what could be the deciding game.
Game 6 holds tremendous significance for both squads. Edmonton stands on the cusp of becoming just the third team in NHL history to force a Game 7 after losing the first three games of the Stanley Cup Final. If they succeed in getting to Game 7 and ultimately winning the Cup, they would join the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs as the only teams to accomplish such a comeback.
Quotes from Coaches and Players
The tension around this series is palpable. "When you have nothing to lose, there's a freedom to that. When you have something to protect, sometimes you feel the pressure to protect it," Maurice reflected. "There's an evening out in this series now. I think the pressure is closer [between us]. The stake is there now more for both teams, where it was just for us. The goal is closer now for them and now that part evens out, I believe."
Maurice continued, "We are that team. I mean, we've been that team all year. We had a little bit of a lapse in Game 4 here for a period and a half. But for the most part, we've been pretty consistent with it. We really like our 5-on-5 game. We're comfortable against anybody in the world with it."
As both teams prepare for Game 6, the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers each face enormous pressure. For Florida, it’s about reclaiming the dominance they displayed in the earlier games of the series. For Edmonton, it’s about continuing their remarkable comeback and pushing the series to an all-decisive Game 7.
Friday night’s matchup at Rogers Place promises to be a critical juncture in what has already been a memorable Stanley Cup Final. Whether the Panthers will close out the series or the Oilers will make history remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the pressure is now equally shared.