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 was thanks in no small part to back-to-back four-point performances by Oilers' star Connor McDavid. With Florida now heading back to Alberta, the pressure that once weighed heavily on the Oilers has shifted.
The Oilers now share the burden of pressure, having clawed their way back into the series. The Panthers have lost twice with the Stanley Cup in the building, an opportunity they did not capitalize on. As they head into Game 6 at Rogers Place on Friday, the stakes are higher for both teams. The looming goal of winning the Cup feels closer for the Oilers, and that sense of urgency has evened the psychological playing field.
Reflecting on Game 5
Florida arrived back in Edmonton on Thursday having lost Game 5 by a 5-3 margin. Despite the loss, the Panthers dominated for long stretches of the game, particularly in the final two periods where they managed over 80% of the shot attempts. However, they trailed 4-1 for much of the game, unable to close the gap despite their on-ice control.
Maurice expressed optimism about his team's performance, suggesting that their effort in Game 5 could be built upon for Game 6. "I liked our opening period more than the following 40 minutes," he noted. Despite their recent setbacks, the Panthers have been dominant in 5-on-5 play all year, except for a lapse in Game 4 for a period and a half.
Consistency in 5-on-5 Play
The Panthers have shown consistency in their 5-on-5 play throughout the season. "We're comfortable against anybody in the world with our 5-on-5 game," Maurice said confidently. As they prepare for Game 6, this aspect of their game could be crucial in turning the tide back in their favor.
Game 6, set for Friday night at Rogers Place, holds tremendous stakes for both teams. Not only is Edmonton vying to force a Game 7, which only two other teams in NHL history have accomplished after being down 3-0 in the finals, but they are also aiming to become the second team since the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs to rally back and win the Stanley Cup.
Quotes from the Coaches and Players
Both teams are feeling the weight of these crucial games. "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 observed. "There's an evening out in this series now. I think the pressure is closer [between us]."
He continued, "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."
As the Panthers face this critical juncture, they lean on the identity they've built throughout the season. "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."
The story is far from over. Whether the Oilers can complete their remarkable comeback or the Panthers finally seize their opportunity to lift the Stanley Cup will be decided in the coming games. One thing is for sure: as Game 6 approaches, the intensity and pressure of the Stanley Cup Final have reached new heights, offering hockey fans a gripping narrative of resilience and determination.