Oilers Defeat Panthers to Push the Stanley Cup Final to a Game Six
The Edmonton Oilers, led by superstar Connor McDavid, were able to fend off elimination yet again as they defeated the Florida Panthers by a score of 5-3. McDavid led the way for Edmonton just as he did previously in game four. He had a hand in four of the five Edmonton goals as he netted two goals, including an empty net goal to put the game out of reach, as well as two assists. The other three Oiler goals were scored by Connor Brown, Zach Hyman, and Corey Perry.
The Oilers came into game five having scored 10 of the last 11 goals in the series overall, and they were able to jump out to a quick start for the second straight game as they scored the first three goals of the game. Matthew Tkachuk finally got Florida on the board in the middle of the second period to cut the lead to 3-1. Then, both teams scored within a 14-second span as Corey Perry scored a power play goal for the Oilers, then Evan Rodrigues responded right back for the Panthers to cut the lead back to a two-goal difference at the end of the second period.
Florida came out for the third period with the same momentum they left the second period with, as Oliver Ekman-Larsson scored just four minutes into the period to cut the Edmonton lead to just one goal. However, despite dominating the majority of the third period after that point, the Panthers were unable to crack Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner in the final minutes. Skinner was able to stand tall the rest of the game for the Oilers to hold on for the clutch road win to send the series back to Edmonton.
McDavid’s four points in game five gave him a total of 42 points for the playoffs, which is good for fourth most in a single postseason in NHL history. The only names ahead of him are Wayne Gretzky, who had 47 points in 1985, Mario Lemieux, who had 44 points in 1991, and Gretzky again with 43 in 1988. McDavid will have at least one, and possibly two, more games to add to his current point total.
As for Florida, this was the first time in franchise history that they had the chance to win the Stanley Cup on their home ice. The home sell-out crowd came with much anticipation and provided the Panthers with as much energy and noise as they could, but the Oilers were able to postpone the trophy ceremony for at least another game. Panthers fans are hoping they do not have to sell out the arena once again in a possible game seven and that their team can close out the series in game six in Edmonton on Friday night.
