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, breathing new life into their quest for the Cup.
McDavid's Impact
This resurgence was thanks in no small part to back-to-back four-point performances by Oilers' star Connor McDavid. McDavid's exceptional play has been a driving force, pulling the Oilers from the brink of elimination back into contention. Florida has been dragged back to Alberta, and with the Oilers now sharing their burden of pressure, the series has become increasingly competitive.
Having clawed their way back into the series, the Oilers are likely starting to feel the expectation to win ramping up just as the Panthers do. The Florida Panthers have now lost twice with the Stanley Cup in the building, an indication of how close yet so far they are from clinching the title.
The Panthers head into Game 6 at Rogers Place on Friday with renewed determination. With the series balance tipping towards a more even distribution of pressure, both teams are acutely aware of what is at stake. The Panthers seek to avoid a dramatic collapse, while the Oilers aim to continue their monumental comeback.
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, especially in the final two periods where they managed over 80% of the shot attempts.
Florida trailed 4-1 for much of the game despite their efforts. Maurice expressed optimism, suggesting that his team could build on their effort for Game 6. "I liked our opening period more than the following 40 minutes," Maurice commented, reflecting the uneven performance that characterized their recent play.
The Panthers have been dominant in 5-on-5 play all year, and this has been a cornerstone of their success. They only experienced a significant lapse in Game 4 for a period and a half. This consistency in 5-on-5 play gives Maurice reason to believe his team can rebound effectively.
Consistent 5-on-5 Play
"We are comfortable against anybody in the world with our 5-on-5 game," Maurice said confidently. The Panthers' ability to maintain this level of performance will be critical as they look to close out the series. With Game 6 set for Friday night at Rogers Place, the stakes are sky-high 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. This historical context adds another layer of intensity to what has already been a thrilling series.
Quotes from Coaches and Players
Both coaches and players have weighed in on the shifting momentum and pressure in the series. "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. This sentiment captures the evolving dynamics as the series progresses.
Adding to this, he stated, "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."
Maintaining confidence in his team's capabilities, the coach emphasized, "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 belief in their 5-on-5 game remains unshaken. "We really like our 5-on-5 game. We're comfortable against anybody in the world with it," Maurice concluded.
The anticipation for Game 6 is palpable. Both teams are prepared to lay everything on the line, with the Panthers looking to close out the series and the Oilers striving to push it to a decisive Game 7. As the clock ticks down to Friday night's face-off, one thing is clear: the battle for the Stanley Cup is far from over.