Series Overview
As the Florida Panthers prepare for Game 5 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, the stakes couldn't be higher. After taking the first three games, the Panthers appeared to be in complete control. However, a stunning 8-1 victory by the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday has thrown the series into uncertainty.
The Oilers now aim to force a decisive Game 6, a feat last achieved by the 2012 New Jersey Devils after falling behind 3-0 in a series. The opening faceoff at Amerant Bank Arena is set for 8 p.m. ET, promising another thrilling encounter between these two formidable teams.
Florida's Home-Ice Edge
Despite the recent setback, the Panthers remain a -134 favorite according to the latest odds. Their home record this postseason has been impressive, standing at 8-3. Florida has won four consecutive home games, allowing just four goals in those outings. Their defense has been particularly staunch against Edmonton, limiting them to two goals over the last three contests.
Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has seen his share of ups and downs. On Saturday, Bobrovsky allowed at least five goals for the third time this postseason. Yet, he has shown resilience, conceding a total of just three goals in games following such performances.
Panthers' Key Players
The Panthers' offense has been spearheaded by Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Reinhart, who have scored 10 and 9 goals respectively this postseason. Both have found the net once in the Stanley Cup Final. Additionally, Evan Rodrigues and Vladimir Tarasenko have been pivotal, combining for five goals in the series so far.
Rodrigues shone brightly in the first two games with three goals, while Tarasenko has found the back of the net in the last two contests, contributing three goals in his last five games. Despite a slow start with just two goals in his first 16 postseason matches, Tarasenko's recent form has been instrumental. Both he and Anton Lundell are currently riding three-game point streaks, with Lundell racking up four assists during this run.
Edmonton's Offensive Surge
On the other side, Edmonton has demonstrated an impressive offensive resurgence. The Oilers have scored at least two goals in each of the last four games, with 15 of their 18 skaters recording points in Game 4. Once again, Connor McDavid led the charge with a goal and three assists.
McDavid currently tops the NHL leaderboard with 38 points this postseason, collecting six points in his last two games alone. He is nearing the remarkable milestone of 40 points in a single postseason and has already broken Wayne Gretzky's single-playoff assist record set in 1988, with 32 assists to his name.
Defenseman Darnell Nurse also scored in Game 4, contributing to Edmonton’s impressive tally of 17 goals from their defensemen this postseason—the highest in the league. Moreover, Edmonton boasts the league’s best penalty kill rate at 93.6%, successfully defending 12 of 13 penalties in this series. Mattias Janmark has been a standout on the penalty kill, scoring two short-handed goals this postseason.
Conclusion
With the series heading back to Florida, the Panthers are intent on securing the championship on home ice, while the Oilers are focused on extending the series. Game 5 promises to be an exhilarating contest with fans from both sides eagerly anticipating the outcome. Will history be made, or will the Panthers lift the Stanley Cup in front of their home crowd? The hockey world will be watching closely as these two teams battle for glory.