Florida Panthers coach Paul Maurice believes that the pressure in the Stanley Cup Final has "evened out" now that the Edmonton Oilers have rallied to force a Game 6. The Panthers had taken a commanding 3-0 series lead before Edmonton stormed back to win the last two games.
McDavid's Impact
This resurgence was largely thanks to back-to-back four-point performances by Oilers' star Connor McDavid. Florida has been dragged back to Alberta, and the Oilers now share the burden of pressure having clawed their way back into the series. The Panthers have already had two chances to clinch the Stanley Cup but fell short both times, adding another layer of tension heading into Game 6.
Game 6 will take place at Rogers Place on Friday, where the expectation to win is ramping up for the Oilers. The stakes are higher now for both teams, as the goal of lifting the Stanley Cup inches closer for Edmonton. This is a significant psychological shift for both sides, making the next game crucial.
Reflecting on Game 5
Florida arrived back in Edmonton on Thursday having lost Game 5 by a 5-3 margin. Despite the loss, the Panthers dominated long stretches of the game, especially in the final two periods where they managed over 80% of the shot attempts. Florida trailed 4-1 for much of the game but showed resilience in their offensive efforts.
"I liked our opening period more than the following 40 minutes," Maurice said, expressing optimism about the team’s performance. This sentiment highlights his belief that the team can build on their effort for Game 6. The Panthers have been dominant in 5-on-5 play all year and will look to leverage this strength in the next game.
Consistent 5-on-5 Play
The Panthers have prided themselves on their consistent 5-on-5 play. "We are comfortable against anybody in the world with our 5-on-5 game," Maurice stated confidently. This consistency has been a cornerstone of their strategy and will be a key factor as they head into Game 6. The Panthers had a lapse in Game 4 for a period and a half, but overall, their performance has been solid.
Game 6, set for Friday night at Rogers Place, holds tremendous stakes for both teams. Edmonton is vying to become just the third team in NHL history to force a Game 7 after losing the first three games of the Stanley Cup Final. If successful, they would also try to become the second team since the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs to rally back and win the Cup.
Quotes from the Coaches and Players
"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 said, capturing the psychological dynamics at play. "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."
Florida’s confidence in their 5-on-5 game remains unshaken. "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 narrative has shifted significantly since the Panthers' early domination in the series. The Oilers' resurgence has added a dramatic twist, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. Whoever emerges victorious, the journey to the Stanley Cup has been nothing short of exhilarating.