Stanley Cup Final: Panthers-Oilers Game 5 grades, takeaways

Game 5 serves as a pivotal point in any series, either confirming one team`s dominance with a decisive win or reminding both sides how close the ultimate goal is. For the Florida Panthers, their 5-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 means they are now just one win away from securing their second consecutive Stanley Cup championship.

Given the Oilers` history of battling back when facing elimination, a comeback to force a Game 6 and potentially a Game 7 in Edmonton isn`t out of the question. Nevertheless, Game 5 offered both teams an opportunity to seize control late in the season. The Panthers ultimately triumphed, securing their 10th road win this postseason, which matches an NHL playoff record.

A game with such high stakes warrants a detailed look. Let`s break down the key factors for both the Oilers and Panthers in Game 5, identify players who could be crucial in a potential Game 6, and consider the lingering questions for each side.

The main questions revolve around the Panthers` ability to finish the series and the Oilers` potential to force a Game 7, much like they did in the previous Stanley Cup Final.

Florida Panthers

Grade: B+

The Panthers executed their game plan effectively in this matchup:

• They dictated play and controlled possession.
• They maintained composure and structure even without the puck.
• They capitalized on their power-play opportunities while effectively shutting down the Oilers` short-handed situations.
• They limited Edmonton to just three high-danger scoring chances, a significant achievement considering the Oilers ranked second in this category per 60 minutes throughout the postseason entering Game 5.

Establishing a two-goal lead for Sergei Bobrovsky in the first period allowed one of the league`s top goalies to play comfortably, making saves without facing an overwhelming number of shots or prime scoring threats, thanks to the Panthers` defensive effort.

Even when Connor McDavid found the net and Corey Perry scored to narrow the lead twice in Game 5, the Panthers consistently made it difficult for the Oilers to generate quality scoring opportunities in dangerous areas. They successfully weathered a late third-period surge where Edmonton managed 10 shots on goal.

Winning 10 games away from their home ice has been a major factor in the Panthers reaching this point, one win away from hoisting the Cup again. While they`ve achieved everything from high-scoring wins to shutouts on the road, Game 5 stands out as perhaps their most *crucial* victory away from their home city this postseason.

Edmonton Oilers

Grade: B-

The Oilers once again started Game 5 by allowing multiple goals in a period while failing to score themselves. This has been a recurring issue for a defensive system that was highly effective in shutting down opponents through the Western Conference playoffs. Against the Panthers, this marks the seventh period out of 13 in the series where the Oilers have given up more than two goals.

Despite these frequent multi-goal deficits, the Oilers are also known for their comebacks. However, a lack of cohesion hampered them in this game. They had chances, including three power-play opportunities in the first two periods, but managed only four shots combined and failed to score. Overall, they generated just two high-danger chances and posted a 37.8% shot share with only 11 total shots going into the third period.

Connor McDavid finally scored his first goal of the Stanley Cup Final, and Corey Perry added another, bringing the Oilers within two goals on separate occasions. Being that close, given their comeback reputation, suggested another rally was possible. That hope was dashed by Eetu Luostarinen`s empty-net goal that sealed the victory for Florida.

Reaching that position late in the game brings us back to the initial point for the Oilers: How different might Game 5 have been if they hadn`t surrendered another multi-goal period at the start?

Arda Öcal`s Three Stars of Game 5

1. Brad Marchand
LW, Panthers

Another outstanding performance for Marchand, who scored two goals, including a strong effort that put the Panthers up 3-0. These were his fifth and sixth goals of this Stanley Cup Final, making him the first player since Esa Tikkanen in 1988 to score that many in a single Final. It was the 13th goal scored at 5-on-5 by the line of Marchand, Anton Lundell, and Eetu Luostarinen this postseason; the next highest trio (Carter Verhaeghe, Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett) has 10.

2. Sam Bennett
C, Panthers

Speaking of Bennett, he continued his impressive road scoring with his 15th goal of the postseason, 13 of which have come away from home. Bennett is now the fifth player in NHL history to record a six-game road goal streak in the Stanley Cup playoffs, joining Brian Propp (seven games in 1989), Mark Scheifele (six in 2018), Kevin Stevens (six in 1991), and Maurice Richard (six in 1951).

3. Sam Reinhart
RW, Panthers

His third-period goal was his seventh of the postseason. That tally made the score 4-1 and was the Panthers` 60th goal on the road in these playoffs, 11 more than any other team in a single postseason in NHL history. Luostarinen`s empty-netter increased that record to 61, putting them 12 ahead of the second-place team (the 1993 Los Angeles Kings with 49).

Players to watch in Game 6

Brad Marchand
LW, Panthers

Game 5`s performance highlights why Marchand was a highly sought-after player leading up to the trade deadline. After being held off the scoresheet in Game 4, his two goals in Game 5 bring him to 10 goals and 20 points this postseason, presenting a strong case for him potentially winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP.

Marchand`s production is key to the Panthers winning another title. It also increases his value as one of the most attractive names entering free agency. Championship teams, and those aspiring to be, constantly manage the challenge of winning while adhering to the salary cap.

Marchand`s appeal at the trade deadline stemmed from being a proven winner on an expiring contract. The prospect of him becoming a two-time Stanley Cup winner who played a crucial role in a repeat championship puts the Panthers` front office in a difficult position this offseason, especially with Marchand being part of a significant unrestricted free agent class that includes teammates Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad.

Connor McDavid
C, Oilers

Now that McDavid has scored his first goal of the Cup Final, Game 5 could be the catalyst for the world`s best player to find the back of the net more often, potentially in his team`s final game of the season.

Consider McDavid`s performance in Games 4 and 5 of last year`s Cup Final. He played some of his most dominant hockey helping the Oilers climb back into the series, starting with a goal and three assists in Game 4, followed by another four-point effort with two goals and two assists in Game 5.

The Oilers are in their second consecutive Cup Final for several reasons, including relying on scoring depth that makes them more than just their two generational superstars, while knowing that Leon Draisaitl and McDavid can explode offensively at any moment. Can the Oilers` depth scoring re-emerge alongside Draisaitl and McDavid in Game 6? Or will it require another vintage performance from their dynamic duo to push the series to Game 7?

The answers to these questions will likely determine whether the Oilers can stage another dramatic comeback, force a Game 7, and potentially win their first Cup since 1990, or if they will be left reflecting on another season where they came close but fell short.

Big questions for Game 6

Can the Oilers replicate last year`s feat and force a Game 7?

Much discussion centers around the idea that the Oilers are never truly out of a series, referencing their near-impossible comeback attempt after falling behind 3-0 last year.

But what exactly do they need to do to extend the series?

Game 5 began similarly to Game 4, with the Oilers allowing multiple goals in the first period before tightening up defensively. The challenge for Game 6 is to maintain that defensive consistency from the start, preventing the Panthers from having another multi-goal period, while simultaneously generating more offense than they did in Game 5. This is the critical question facing the Oilers in what could be either their final game or their second-to-last game of the season.

Will the Panthers be able to secure the Cup on their first attempt?

If any team understands the danger of a cornered Oilers squad, it`s the Panthers.

One trait the Oilers have shown this postseason is not only their ability to rally in a series but also their knack for closing out opponents, perhaps because they recognize the signs of a potential comeback.

Conversely, the Panthers have seen opponents find ways to stay alive in series this postseason. In the second round, after gaining significant momentum against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Leafs won Game 6 by a score of 2-0 to force a Game 7. In the Eastern Conference Final, the Carolina Hurricanes, after losing three straight, managed to win Game 4.

While the Panthers ultimately won both those series, these instances create intrigue about whether they will finish the job on home ice or if the series will return to Edmonton for a decisive Game 7.