The Florida Panthers are once again making headlines in the NHL playoff scene, as they stand on the brink of claiming the Stanley Cup for the second consecutive year. In a thrilling Game 5 of the final, the Panthers defeated the Edmonton Oilers 5-2, taking a crucial 3-2 lead in the series. Brad Marchand shone brightly with two goals, while Sam Bennett continued his impressive scoring streak, netting his playoff-leading 15th goal.
This victory marks a significant achievement for the Panthers, who have now improved to an impressive 10-3 record on the road during these playoffs. This performance ties the NHL record for the most away victories in a single playoff season. If the Panthers win Game 6 on home ice in Sunrise on Tuesday night, they will hoist the coveted Stanley Cup once more.
“It was a very solid game, definitely,” said goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, who played a pivotal role by stopping 19 of the 21 shots he faced. Bobrovsky made several crucial saves throughout the match, supported by a steadfast defense that effectively neutralized the Oilers' offensive threats. “But the series continues and we are excited about the next game. It’s going to be a big game,” he added, emphasizing the importance of the upcoming match.
The Panthers displayed a strong offensive strategy, building a multi-goal lead and maintaining it throughout the game. Marchand’s performance was particularly noteworthy as he joined Mario Lemieux as one of only two players in the last 50 years to score five or more goals in a final multiple times. With a total of 13 career goals in the finals, Marchand now holds the record for the most goals among active players. “I’m just enjoying every moment,” he shared. “It’s such a special group of guys, and I’m having so much fun here right now.”
The Oilers, on the other hand, faced challenges as Connor McDavid managed to score his first goal of the series only after the Oilers fell behind 3-0. Just 46 seconds later, Sam Reinhart restored the Panthers’ three-goal lead, making it difficult for Edmonton to regain their momentum. Even as Corey Perry scored with 3:13 left in the game, it proved too late for the Oilers, with Eetu Luostarinen sealing the win with an empty-net goal.
Edmonton's power play struggled significantly, going 0 for 3, largely due to the Panthers' aggressive penalty kill that disrupted the flow of McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and other key players. Goaltender Calvin Pickard, who had been undefeated in his previous eight starts, suffered his first loss of the playoffs, allowing four goals on just 18 shots. With a record now standing at 7-1, discussions about the possibility of starting Stuart Skinner in Game 6 are underway.
The Panthers are determined to capitalize on this momentum and close out the series after a challenging cross-continental trip back from Edmonton. Following a tough Game 4 where they blew a three-goal lead and fell in overtime, the Panthers have proven their resilience and depth. “We’ve been pretty good at bouncing back all playoffs,” Marchand noted, reflecting on the team’s ability to recover. “We learned a pretty good lesson there last game, and thought we did a much better job in this one.”
As the excitement builds for Game 6, fans and players alike are eager to see if the Florida Panthers can secure their place in history once again by claiming the Stanley Cup.
