Series Overview
The Florida Panthers are gearing up for an intense Game 5 in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. As the series stands, the Panthers have taken a commanding lead, winning the first three games. However, the Edmonton Oilers roared back with an emphatic 8-1 victory on Saturday, staving off a sweep and aiming to force a Game 6.
The last team to push a series to six games after losing the first three was the 2012 New Jersey Devils. The Oilers hope to draw inspiration from that resilience as they head into what could be a deciding match at Amerant Bank Arena, with the opening faceoff set for 8 p.m. ET.
Florida's Home-Ice Edge
Heading into Game 5, the Panthers hold a distinct advantage on home ice. Florida is listed as a -134 favorite according to the latest odds. This season, they've posted an impressive 8-3 record at home in the postseason, including four consecutive wins on their own rink. Even more noteworthy is their defensive prowess, having allowed just four goals in their last four home games.
The Panthers’ defense has particularly flummoxed the Oilers, limiting them to only two goals over the last three contests. Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky will be looking to rebound from a challenging Game 4, where he allowed five goals for the third time this postseason. Historically, Bobrovsky has been strong in bounce-back games, conceding a total of just three goals in those situations.
Panthers' Key Players
Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Reinhart have been standout performers for the Panthers, netting 10 and nine goals respectively this postseason. Each has also contributed a goal in the Stanley Cup Final. Meanwhile, Evan Rodrigues and Vladimir Tarasenko have been pivotal in the series, combining for five goals. Rodrigues was particularly impactful in the first two games with three goals, while Tarasenko has found the back of the net in each of the last two contests. Tarasenko’s recent form has been stellar, scoring three goals in his last five games after only recording two in his first 16 postseason appearances.
Additionally, Tarasenko and Anton Lundell are both riding three-game point streaks, with Lundell contributing four assists during this stretch. Their continued performances will be crucial if the Panthers hope to close out the series in Game 5.
Edmonton's Offensive Surge
On the other side of the ice, the Oilers have unleashed an offensive surge. Edmonton has scored at least two goals in each of the last four games. Their efforts were on full display in Game 4, where 15 of their 18 skaters recorded points in the 8-1 victory. Leading the charge was Connor McDavid, who had a goal and three assists in the game. McDavid, who currently leads the NHL with 38 points this postseason, has been in scintillating form, amassing six points in his last two games. He is closing in on 40 points in a single postseason, a milestone very few have achieved.
McDavid has also surpassed Wayne Gretzky's single-playoff assist record set in 1988, now boasting 32 assists. Edmonton’s defense has also played a significant role, with Darnell Nurse and the rest of the defensemen contributing a league-leading 17 goals this postseason. The Oilers’ defensive prowess extends to their penalty kill, which stands as the best in the league at 93.6%. They've successfully defended 12 of 13 penalties in this series, with Mattias Janmark chipping in two short-handed goals during the playoffs.
Conclusion
As the series returns to Florida, both teams have everything to play for. The Panthers are on the cusp of securing the championship on home ice, while the Oilers aim to extend the series and keep their Cup hopes alive. With the stakes so high, Game 5 promises to be an exhilarating contest.
Hockey fans from both sides will be eagerly watching to see if history will be made with a monumental comeback or if the Panthers will lift the Stanley Cup in front of their home crowd.