Series Overview
The Florida Panthers are gearing up for Game 5 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. After winning the first three games in the series, Florida stumbled in Game 4, suffering a humbling 8-1 defeat to the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday. Despite this setback, the Panthers remain in a strong position and are just one win away from lifting the Stanley Cup. Meanwhile, the Oilers are determined to force a Game 6, hoping to emulate the 2012 New Jersey Devils, the last team to extend a series to six games after losing the first three. The action resumes at Amerant Bank Arena, with the opening faceoff scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
Florida's Home-Ice Advantage
With a -134 favorite status, the Panthers have a significant home-ice advantage heading into Game 5. Florida boasts an impressive 8-3 home record this postseason, having won their last four games at Amerant Bank Arena. Their defense has been particularly stellar at home, allowing just four goals over these four games. Additionally, the Panthers have successfully contained Edmonton's high-powered offense, limiting them to just two goals across three contests before the Game 4 rout.
Despite conceding at least five goals for the third time this postseason in Game 4, goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has shown resilience. In each previous instance, he allowed only a total of three goals in his subsequent rebound performances.
Panthers' Key Players
Several key players have stepped up for the Panthers this postseason. Carter Verhaeghe leads the team with ten goals, while Sam Reinhart is close behind with nine. Both Verhaeghe and Reinhart have each scored once in the Stanley Cup Final. Evan Rodrigues and Vladimir Tarasenko have also been crucial, combining for five goals in the series. Rodrigues netted three goals in the first two games, while Tarasenko found the back of the net in each of the last two contests. Furthermore, Tarasenko is on a roll with three goals in his last five games after recording just two in his first 16 postseason appearances.
Anton Lundell and Tarasenko are both riding three-game point streaks. Lundell has contributed significantly with four assists during his run, underlining the depth and balance in Florida's offensive lineup.
Edmonton's Offensive Surge
The Edmonton Oilers have displayed their offensive firepower in the series, scoring at least two goals in each of the last four games. Their comprehensive team effort in Game 4 saw 15 of their 18 skaters record points, a testament to their depth. Connor McDavid was instrumental, leading the charge with a goal and three assists. McDavid, who currently leads the NHL with 38 points, has been exceptional, accumulating six points in the last two games.
McDavid is on the verge of reaching 40 points in a single postseason, an extraordinary feat. He recently broke Wayne Gretzky's single-playoff assist record, set in 1988, by registering his 32nd assist of these playoffs. Furthermore, defenseman Darnell Nurse scored in Game 4, adding to Edmonton’s league-leading total of 17 goals from defensemen this postseason.
Defense has also been a strong suit for Edmonton, boasting the league’s best penalty kill rate at 93.6%. They successfully defended 12 of 13 penalties in the series, highlighting their disciplined and effective penalty-killing unit. Mattias Janmark has contributed with two short-handed goals this postseason, further underscoring the Oilers' defensive prowess.
Conclusion
As the series shifts back to Florida, the Panthers are eager to secure the championship on home ice, while the Oilers are resolute in their mission to extend the series. Game 5 promises to be an exhilarating contest, with high stakes for both teams. Fans from both sides will be keenly watching, wondering if history will be made with an Oilers' comeback or if the Panthers will finally lift the Stanley Cup. Either way, the game is poised to deliver a memorable chapter in the annals of hockey history.