Florida Panthers coach Paul Maurice believes 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 thanks in no small part to back-to-back four-point performances by Oilers' star Connor McDavid. The Panthers have been dragged back to Alberta, with the Oilers now sharing the burden of pressure, having clawed their way back into the series.
Florida faces the stark reality of having lost twice with the Stanley Cup in the building, adding a new layer of tension as they head into Game 6 at Rogers Place on Friday. The Oilers, buoyed by McDavid's brilliance, are likely beginning to feel the expectation to win ramping up.
The stakes are now high for both teams. The goal is closer for the Oilers, which evens out the pressure between the two sides.
Reflecting on Game 5
Florida returned to Edmonton on Thursday after losing Game 5 by a 5-3 margin. Despite the defeat, the Panthers dominated for long stretches of the game, especially in the final two periods where they managed over 80% of the shot attempts. However, trailing 4-1 for much of the game proved too high a mountain to climb.
Coach Maurice expressed optimism, believing that his team could build on their effort for Game 6. "I liked our opening period more than the following 40 minutes," he noted. The Panthers have been dominant in 5-on-5 play all year, with only a brief lapse in Game 4 for a period and a half.
Consistent 5-on-5 Play
Florida has been consistent in their 5-on-5 play for the most part. "We are comfortable against anybody in the world with our 5-on-5 game," Maurice stated confidently. As they prepare for Game 6 at Rogers Place, the stakes have never been higher.
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 aim 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 reflected. "There's an evening out in this series now. I think the pressure is closer [between us]."
He continued, "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 focus remains on their consistent play. "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."
Maurice drew confidence from their 5-on-5 game, reiterating, "We really like our 5-on-5 game. We're comfortable against anybody in the world with it."
As the Panthers prepare for what could be a decisive Game 6, maintaining their dominant 5-on-5 play and overcoming the psychological challenges of previous close encounters will be crucial. The resurgence of the Oilers and the performance of star player Connor McDavid have certainly made the path to the Cup more complex, but the Panthers remain resolute and focused on their strengths.
Game 6 holds tremendous stakes for both teams. It's a test of resilience, strategy, and mental fortitude, with the potential to redefine the series. Hockey fans around the world will be eagerly watching to see if Edmonton can achieve what has only been done by a select few or if Florida will reclaim their dominance and capture the Stanley Cup.