Series Overview
The Florida Panthers are gearing up for Game 5 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final with high hopes of securing the championship on home ice. The Panthers initially dominated the series by clinching victories in the first three games. However, the Edmonton Oilers staged a late comeback, hammering Florida with an 8-1 win in Game 4 last Saturday. Now, Edmonton is looking to extend the series and force a Game 6, aiming to emulate the 2012 New Jersey Devils, the last team to push a series to six games after losing the first three. The pivotal clash will take place at Amerant Bank Arena, with the opening faceoff set for 8 p.m. ET.
Florida's Home-Ice Edge
According to the latest odds, Florida is a -134 favorite, and they certainly have statistics on their side. The Panthers boast an impressive 8-3 home record this postseason, including winning their last four consecutive home games. Notably, Florida's defense has been formidable on home ice, allowing just four goals over these four games. In the series against Edmonton, the Panthers’ defense has restricted the high-scoring Oilers to only two goals in the last three contests.
However, goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky faced a rough patch in Game 4, conceding five goals or more for the third time this postseason. Yet, Bobrovsky has shown resilience in his rebound performances, allowing just three goals in total after such challenging games. His ability to bounce back will be crucial if the Panthers are to clinch the Cup.
Panthers' Key Players
The Panthers' offensive charge has been led by Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Reinhart, who have netted 10 and nine goals this postseason respectively. Both players have managed one goal each in the Stanley Cup Final so far. Additionally, Evan Rodrigues and Vladimir Tarasenko have proven to be vital contributors as well, combining for five goals in the series. Rodrigues was especially impactful early on, scoring three goals in the first two games, while Tarasenko hit his stride in the last two, making it three goals in his last five games.
Tarasenko started the postseason with just two goals in his first 16 games but has since turned a corner, currently enjoying a three-game point streak along with Anton Lundell. Lundell has been effective as a playmaker, racking up four assists during this stretch. Florida will look to these players to continue their strong performances to close out the series in Game 5.
Edmonton's Offensive Surge
Edmonton has shown remarkable offensive depth and firepower, demonstrated by their ability to score at least two goals in each of the last four games. The Oilers’ Game 4 victory saw an impressive 15 out of 18 skaters recording points. Captain Connor McDavid led the charge with a stellar performance, scoring a goal and assisting on three others. McDavid currently leads the NHL with 38 points in the postseason and has collected six points in his last two games.
McDavid is closing in on an impressive milestone of 40 points in a single postseason and has already surpassed Wayne Gretzky's single-playoff assist record from 1988, amassing 32 assists. Defenseman Darnell Nurse also contributed in Game 4, scoring a crucial goal. Edmonton's defensemen have been instrumental in the postseason, collectively leading the league with 17 goals.
Special teams have also been a strength for the Oilers, possessing the league’s best penalty kill rate at an astounding 93.6%. They have successfully defended 12 of 13 penalties in the series, with Mattias Janmark being particularly effective with two short-handed goals this postseason.
Conclusion
As the series returns to Florida, the Panthers aim to leverage their home-ice advantage to secure the championship. In contrast, the Oilers focus on extending the series and keeping their Stanley Cup hopes alive. Game 5 promises to be an exhilarating contest, featuring high stakes and intense competition. Fans on both sides are eager to see whether history will be made or if the Florida Panthers will finally get to lift the Stanley Cup on home ice.