Series Overview
The Florida Panthers are gearing up for Game 5 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. After dominating the early part of the series with three consecutive wins, the Panthers stumbled in Game 4, suffering an 8-1 defeat at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers. Now, with the series returning to Florida, the Panthers are looking to close out the series and secure their first Stanley Cup Championship on home ice. Meanwhile, the Oilers aim to force a Game 6, a feat not accomplished since the 2012 New Jersey Devils, who managed to push a series to six games after losing the first three.
Florida's Home-Ice Edge
According to the latest odds, Florida is a -134 favorite heading into Game 5, and for good reason. The Panthers have been formidable on home ice this postseason, boasting an 8-3 record at Amerant Bank Arena. Furthermore, Florida has won four consecutive home games, conceding just four goals in those contests. The Panthers’ defense has been stifling, limiting Edmonton to two goals across the last three games. However, Saturday’s blowout loss saw goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky allow at least five goals for the third time this postseason. Historically, Bobrovsky has performed well in rebound games, allowing a total of just three goals in such scenarios.
Panthers' Key Players
The Panthers have relied heavily on the offensive prowess of Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Reinhart this postseason. Verhaeghe has netted 10 goals, while Reinhart is close behind with nine. Both players have contributed a goal each in the Stanley Cup Final. Meanwhile, Evan Rodrigues and Vladimir Tarasenko have been crucial in the series, combining for five goals. Rodrigues was particularly lethal in the early games, scoring three goals in the first two contests, while Tarasenko found the net in the last two games. Tarasenko has three goals in his last five games, after scoring just twice in his first 16 postseason outings. Additionally, Tarasenko and Anton Lundell are riding three-game point streaks, with Lundell contributing four assists during that span.
Edmonton's Offensive Surge
On the other side, the Edmonton Oilers have found their offensive rhythm. They have tallied at least two goals in each of the last four games, showcasing a balanced attack with contributions from nearly the entire roster. In Game 4, 15 of Edmonton's 18 skaters recorded points, with Connor McDavid leading the charge. McDavid registered a goal and three assists, extending his series point total to 38, making him the NHL's leading scorer this postseason. Over the last two games, McDavid has collected six points and is closing in on the 40-point mark for a single postseason. Remarkably, McDavid recently broke Wayne Gretzky's single-playoff assist record set in 1988, amassing 32 assists thus far.
Defensively, Edmonton remains stout. Darnell Nurse added a goal in Game 4, pushing the Oilers' defensemen’s goal tally to 17 this postseason, the most in the league. Edmonton also boasts the league’s top penalty kill rate at an astonishing 93.6%. They have successfully killed 12 of 13 penalties in the series, with Mattias Janmark contributing two short-handed goals this postseason.
Conclusion
As the series shifts back to Florida, both teams have clear objectives. The Panthers are eager to capitalize on their home-ice advantage and clinch their first Stanley Cup title. In contrast, the Oilers are focused on extending the series and keeping their championship dreams alive. Game 5 promises to be a thrilling encounter, with fans from both sides anxiously awaiting either a historical comeback or a jubilant victory celebration for Florida. As the puck drops at 8 p.m. ET at Amerant Bank Arena, all eyes will be on the players who have driven their teams to this crucial juncture in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final.