Florida Panthers One Win Away After Dominant Game 5 Performance Against Oilers

Florida Panthers: B+

Game 5 largely unfolded according to the Panthers` strategy:

• They maintained control of the puck for extended periods.
• They appeared composed and remained in control even when they didn`t have possession.
• They capitalized effectively on their power-play opportunities while successfully limiting the Oilers when shorthanded.
• They restricted the Oilers to just three high-danger scoring chances throughout the game, a crucial statistic considering Edmonton entered Game 5 ranked second in high-danger chances per 60 minutes this postseason.

Establishing a two-goal lead early in the first period for Sergei Bobrovsky allowed one of the generation`s best goalies to make the necessary saves without being constantly bombarded, as the Panthers successfully prevented both a high volume of shots and a high concentration of high-danger opportunities.

Even when Edmonton`s Connor McDavid found an opening and Corey Perry scored to twice trim the lead to two goals in Game 5, the Panthers continued to make it exceedingly difficult for the Oilers to generate those desired scoring chances from prime areas. Overall, they successfully fended off a late third-period barrage that saw the Oilers register 10 shots on goal.

Winning 10 games away from their home arena in Sunrise is undoubtedly a major reason why the Panthers are now one win away from lifting another Stanley Cup. While they`ve demonstrated versatility on the road, achieving everything from scoring five goals to shutting opponents out, there`s a compelling discussion to be had about whether this Game 5 victory was the Panthers` strongest performance away from home or simply their most *crucial* road victory of this postseason outside the 954 area code.

Edmonton Oilers: B-

As has become a somewhat repetitive theme, the Oilers began Game 5 by surrendering multiple goals in a period while scoring zero. This highlights a persistent issue within a defensive structure that otherwise successfully shut down two teams ranked in the top 5 for goals per game during the Western Conference playoffs. Against the Panthers, however, this marks the seventh time in the 13 periods played in this series that the Oilers have allowed more than two goals.

Just as frequent as those multi-goal periods against them has been the Oilers` ability to mount comebacks. However, the primary struggle the Oilers faced in this game was finding any offensive cohesion. They had opportunities, including three power-play chances in the first two periods, but failed to score, managing a combined total of only four shots on those advantages. Overall, entering the third period, the Oilers had generated just two high-danger chances and held a meager 37.8% shot share, having registered only 11 total shots.

Connor McDavid scoring his first goal of the Stanley Cup Final — with Corey Perry adding another — did manage to bring the Oilers within two goals on two separate occasions. Being that close, combined with their known penchant for comebacks, suggested another rally was potentially possible. That is, until Eetu Luostarinen`s empty-net goal ultimately sealed the win for the Panthers.

However, simply reaching that position late in the game brings the discussion back to the opening point for the Oilers: How significantly different might Game 5 have unfolded if they hadn`t allowed yet another multi-goal period to start the game?

Can the Oilers Replicate Last Year`s Comeback Effort and Force a Game 7?

Much has been said — and undoubtedly will continue to be said — about how the Oilers are not truly out of this series, primarily because of their remarkable, near-improbable comeback attempt last year after falling into a 3-0 series deficit.

But what exactly needs to happen on the ice for them to force one more game?

Game 5 began similarly to Game 4, in that after giving up multiple goals in the first period, the Oilers defensively tightened up, allowing only one subsequent goal and appearing to find some defensive consistency. The critical question facing the Oilers for Game 6 is: Can they find a way to piece together that type of defensive effort for the *entire* game to prevent the Panthers from having another multi-goal period, while simultaneously generating significantly more offensive production than they managed in Game 5? This is the central challenge for the Oilers in what could be either their final game of the season or their second-to-last.

Will the Panthers Successfully Close Out the Cup Final on Their First Opportunity?

If there is any team that understands just how dangerous the Oilers are when they are facing elimination, it is certainly the Panthers themselves.

One characteristic we have seen from the Oilers this postseason is not only their notable ability to come back within a series but also their skill in closing out opponents, perhaps because they are acutely aware of all the signs that might indicate a potential comeback brewing on the other side.

Conversely, something observed from the Panthers this postseason is that opponents have found ways to extend series against them. Recall the second round against the Toronto Maple Leafs: after the Panthers appeared to gain full momentum, the Leafs managed a 2-0 win in Game 6 to force a Game 7. Similarly, in the Eastern Conference Final, the Carolina Hurricanes, after losing three consecutive games, rallied to win Game 4.

Granted, the Panthers ultimately won both of those series. However, these instances do create some element of intrigue as to whether or not the Panthers will successfully wrap up the series on home ice in Game 6 or be compelled to return to Edmonton for a decisive winner-take-all Game 7.