Series Overview
The Florida Panthers are ready to face off against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, set to take place at Amerant Bank Arena. Having won the first three games of the series, the Panthers demonstrated dominance early on. However, the Oilers roared back with an 8-1 victory on Saturday, 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 opening faceoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
Florida's Home-Ice Advantage
Florida holds a significant advantage on their home ice, being a -134 favorite according to the latest odds. The Panthers boast an impressive 8-3 home record this postseason and have won their last four home games consecutively. Defensively, they have been rock-solid, allowing just four goals in their last four home games. The Panthers' defense has effectively limited Edmonton to only two goals over the last three contests.
Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky presents an intriguing storyline. While Bobrovsky allowed at least five goals for the third time this postseason on Saturday, he has rebounded strongly after such games, permitting a total of just three goals in those critical rebounds. This pattern will be crucial for the Panthers as they seek to close out the series.
Key Players for the Panthers
The Panthers' offense has been led by standout performances from key players. Carter Verhaeghe has notched 10 goals this postseason, and Sam Reinhart has added nine. Both Verhaeghe and Reinhart have one goal each in the Stanley Cup Final thus far. Evan Rodrigues and Vladimir Tarasenko have also been pivotal, combining for five goals in the series. Rodrigues has been particularly sharp, netting three goals in the first two games, while Tarasenko has scored in the last two contests. Tarasenko, who recorded just two goals in his first 16 postseason games, has three goals in his last five and is riding a three-game point streak alongside Anton Lundell. Lundell has provided four assists during this run, showcasing the depth of Florida's offensive prowess.
Edmonton's Offensive Surge
Edmonton's offense has shown signs of life and resilience. The Oilers have scored at least two goals in each of the last four games, with a remarkable 15 of their 18 skaters recording points in Game 4. Connor McDavid led the charge in that game with a goal and three assists, bringing his postseason point total to an NHL-leading 38. McDavid has amassed six points in his last two games and is nearing the significant milestone of 40 points in a single postseason. Additionally, he broke Wayne Gretzky's single-playoff assist record set in 1988, having now collected 32 assists.
Darnell Nurse also contributed with a goal in Game 4, highlighting the productive play from Edmonton’s defensemen, who lead the league with 17 goals this postseason. The team's penalty kill has been outstanding, boasting a league-best 93.6% success rate, successfully defending 12 of 13 penalties in the series. Mattias Janmark has added to their short-handed strength with two short-handed goals this postseason.
Conclusion
As the series heads back to Florida, the Panthers are poised to secure the championship on their home ice, while the Oilers are focused on extending the series. Fans from both teams will be eagerly watching to see if the Panthers can close out the series or if Edmonton can continue their comeback and force a Game 6. Game 5 promises to be an exhilarating contest, rich with drama and high stakes.