Series Overview
As the Florida Panthers gear up for Game 5 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, a thrilling series continues to unfold. The Panthers established an early dominance by winning the first three games of the series, but the Edmonton Oilers responded in spectacular fashion with a resounding 8-1 victory on Saturday. Now, with the momentum swinging partially back towards Edmonton, the Oilers aim 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 opening faceoff at Amerant Bank Arena is slated for 8 p.m. ET.
Florida's Home-Ice Edge
Florida enters Game 5 as a -134 favorite according to the latest odds, benefiting from strong performances on home ice this postseason. The Panthers have an impressive 8-3 record at Amerant Bank Arena and are riding a four-game home winning streak. Restricting their opponents to just four goals over the last four home games, Florida's defense has been particularly effective against Edmonton, allowing only two goals over their last three meetings.
However, goaltending will be a crucial factor. Sergei Bobrovsky, who allowed at least five goals for the third time this postseason on Saturday, will need to step up. Historically, Bobrovsky has shown resilience, allowing a total of three goals in his rebound performances after difficult games.
Panthers' Key Players
Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Reinhart have been instrumental to Florida's playoff success, with Verhaeghe scoring 10 goals and Reinhart netting nine this postseason. Both have contributed a goal each in the Stanley Cup Final. Complementing their efforts are Evan Rodrigues and Vladimir Tarasenko, who have combined for five goals in the series. Rodrigues impressed early with three goals in the first two games, while Tarasenko has found his stride with goals in each of the last two contests, bringing his total to three goals in the last five games after a slow start.
Furthermore, Tarasenko and Anton Lundell are both on three-game point streaks, showcasing excellent playmaking abilities. Lundell, in particular, has been an assist machine, tallying four assists during this period.
Edmonton's Offensive Surge
The Oilers have shown their offensive prowess, consistently scoring at least two goals in each of the last four games. Their standout performance came in Game 4, where 15 of Edmonton's 18 skaters recorded points, led by the phenomenal Connor McDavid. McDavid notched a goal and three assists, demonstrating why he currently leads the NHL with 38 points this postseason. With six points in his last two games, McDavid is closing in on the 40-point mark in a single postseason. Remarkably, he has already broken Wayne Gretzky's single-playoff assist record set in 1988, amassing 32 assists this postseason.
Beyond McDavid, Edmonton's defensemen have also been contributing significantly, with Darnell Nurse scoring in Game 4, bringing their tally to a league-leading 17 goals among defensemen this postseason. Moreover, the Oilers boast the league’s best penalty kill rate at an impressive 93.6%, having successfully defended 12 of 13 penalties in the series. Mattias Janmark has provided additional value with two short-handed goals, further exemplifying Edmonton's all-around defensive strength.
Conclusion
As the series returns to Florida, the Panthers face the significant challenge of clinching the championship on home ice against a resilient Oilers squad intent on extending the series. With both teams showcasing their strengths and battling for every inch, Game 5 promises to be an exhilarating contest. Fans from both sides will be on the edge of their seats, eagerly watching to see if history will be made or if the Panthers will lift the Stanley Cup.