Florida Panthers coach Paul Maurice believes the pressure in the Stanley Cup Final has "evened out" now that the Edmonton Oilers have rallied to force a Game 6. The Panthers had taken a commanding 3-0 series lead before Edmonton stormed back to win the last two games.
McDavid's Impact
This resurgence is thanks in no small part to back-to-back four-point performances by Oilers' star Connor McDavid. Florida has been dragged back to Alberta, and the Oilers now share the burden of pressure, having clawed their way back into the series. The Panthers have now lost twice with the Stanley Cup in the building, making the stakes even higher.
Edmonton is starting to feel the expectation to win ramping up. The goal is now closer for the Oilers, evening out the pressure for both teams. Friday's Game 6 at Rogers Place holds tremendous stakes for everyone involved.
Reflecting on Game 5
Florida arrived back in Edmonton on Thursday, having lost Game 5 by a 5-3 margin. The Panthers dominated for long stretches of the game, especially in the final two periods where they managed over 80% of the shot attempts. Despite their dominance, Florida trailed 4-1 for much of the game, though they remain optimistic.
Maurice expressed confidence, saying his team could build on their effort for Game 6. "I liked our opening period more than the following 40 minutes," Maurice noted. The Panthers have been dominant in 5-on-5 play all year and only had a lapse in Game 4 for a period and a half.
Consistent 5-on-5 Play
The Panthers have been consistent in their 5-on-5 play for the most part. "We are comfortable against anybody in the world with our 5-on-5 game," Maurice stated. Game 6, set for Friday night at Rogers Place, holds tremendous stakes for both teams. Edmonton is vying to become just the third team in NHL history to force a Game 7 after losing the first three games of the Stanley Cup Final. If successful, they would also try to become the second team since the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs to rally back and win the Cup.
Quotes from the Coaches and Players
"When you have nothing to lose, there's a freedom to that. When you have something to protect, sometimes you feel the pressure to protect it," Maurice said. "There's an evening out in this series now. I think the pressure is closer [between us]. The stake is there now more for both teams, where it was just for us. The goal is closer now for them and now that part evens out, I believe."
Maurice added, "We are that team. I mean, we've been that team all year. We had a little bit of a lapse in Game 4 here for a period and a half. But for the most part, we've been pretty consistent with it. We really like our 5-on-5 game. We're comfortable against anybody in the world with it."
The Florida Panthers will need to lean on their robust 5-on-5 play and overall consistency to fend off the surging Oilers in Game 6. As for the Oilers, they will look to McDavid and his remarkable performances to continue their historic comeback bid.
With both teams facing tremendous pressure, Friday night’s clash at Rogers Place is set to be an epic showdown that could either extend the series to a decisive Game 7 or see the Panthers finally secure the Stanley Cup.