Series Overview
The Florida Panthers are gearing up for an intense Game 5 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. With the Panthers clinching victories in the first three matchups, the Edmonton Oilers managed a significant comeback with an 8-1 triumph on Saturday. The Oilers now aim to extend the series to Game 6, a feat last achieved by the 2012 New Jersey Devils after losing the first three games of their series.
Anticipation is high as the puck drops at 8 p.m. ET at Amerant Bank Arena. Both teams have demonstrated remarkable tenacity and skill, setting the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating contest.
Florida's Home-Ice Advantage
The Florida Panthers enter Game 5 as a -134 favorite according to the latest odds. Holding a strong 8-3 home record this postseason, the Panthers have proven formidable on their own ice, winning four consecutive home games. Astonishingly, they have allowed just four goals across these four encounters, showcasing a rock-solid defense.
Defensively, the Panthers have particularly excelled against Edmonton, limiting the Oilers to a mere two goals over the past three contests. However, the recent 8-1 loss marked the third instance this postseason where goalie Sergei Bobrovsky allowed at least five goals. Historically, Bobrovsky has demonstrated resilience, permitting just three goals in total in the subsequent rebound games.
Panthers' Key Players
Leading the charge for Florida, Carter Verhaeghe has been a standout performer with 10 goals this postseason. Close on his heels, Sam Reinhart has contributed nine goals. In the Stanley Cup Final, both Verhaeghe and Reinhart have netted a single goal each.
Additional firepower comes from Evan Rodrigues and Vladimir Tarasenko, who have combined for five goals in the series. Rodrigues was particularly impactful in the first two games, scoring three times, while Tarasenko has found the back of the net in each of the last two games. Over the last five games, Tarasenko has scored three times, elevating his postseason total to five after a slower start with just two goals in his initial 16 games.
Both Tarasenko and Anton Lundell are riding three-game point streaks. Lundell’s contributions have largely come through playmaking, amassing four assists during his streak.
Edmonton's Offensive Surge
The Edmonton Oilers have demonstrated their offensive might, tallying at least two goals in each of the last four games. A testament to their depth, 15 of Edmonton's 18 skaters recorded points in the crucial Game 4. Leading the charge, Connor McDavid was spectacular, notching a goal and three assists.
McDavid currently leads the NHL with 38 points this postseason, accumulating six points in his last two games. He is on the cusp of reaching 40 points in a single postseason and has already broken Wayne Gretzky's single-playoff assist record set in 1988, now holding 32 assists.
Darnell Nurse contributed with a goal in Game 4, and Edmonton’s defensemen have collectively lead the league with 17 goals this postseason. Their defensive prowess extends to special teams, where Edmonton boasts the league’s best penalty kill rate at 93.6%, having successfully defended 12 of 13 penalties in the series. Mattias Janmark has been pivotal on the kill, netting two short-handed goals this postseason.
Looking Ahead
The series returns to Florida, where the Panthers will look to clinch the championship on their home ice. Meanwhile, the Oilers are focused on prolonging their season by forcing a Game 6. With both sides positioned for a high-stakes showdown, Game 5 is bound to be a thrilling encounter.
Fans from both sides of the rink will be eagerly watching, anticipating whether history will be made or if the Panthers will finally lift the Stanley Cup. As the tension builds and the excitement reaches a fever pitch, hockey enthusiasts are guaranteed an unforgettable night of top-tier competition.