Series Overview
As the Florida Panthers prepare for Game 5 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, anticipation is building among hockey fans. With the Panthers taking the first three games of the series, and the Edmonton Oilers claiming an emphatic 8-1 victory in Game 4 on Saturday, the stage is set for a thrilling encounter. The Oilers are determined to force a Game 6, a feat last accomplished by the 2012 New Jersey Devils after losing the first three games of their series. The opening faceoff at Amerant Bank Arena is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET, promising to captivate audiences with high-stakes action.
Florida's Home-Ice Edge
The Florida Panthers come into Game 5 as -134 favorites, according to the latest odds. The Panthers have been formidable on home ice this postseason, boasting an impressive 8-3 record. They have also won their last four consecutive home games, demonstrating a robust defensive performance by allowing just four goals in those contests. In their clashes with Edmonton, Florida’s defense has limited the Oilers to a narrow two goals over the last three games. However, Sergei Bobrovsky, the Panthers' go-to goaltender, faced a rough outing on Saturday, conceding five or more goals for the third time this postseason. Historically, Bobrovsky has shown resilience in bounce-back games, allowing only three goals following such performances.
Panthers' Key Players
Offense will be key for Florida, and the Panthers rely heavily on their standout players. Carter Verhaeghe has been stellar, netting 10 goals so far in the postseason. Sam Reinhart isn't far behind, with nine goals to his name. Both Verhaeghe and Reinhart have contributed with a goal each in the Stanley Cup Final. Evan Rodrigues and Vladimir Tarasenko have also been pivotal, combining for five goals in the series. Rodrigues scored three goals in the first two games, while Tarasenko found the net in each of the last two contests. Notably, Tarasenko has three goals in his last five games after a quiet start with just two goals in his first 16 postseason games. Alongside them, Anton Lundell is on a three-game point streak, amassing four assists during this impressive run.
Edmonton's Offensive Surge
The Edmonton Oilers, despite trailing in the series, have generated a substantial offensive output. They have consistently scored at least two goals in each of the last four games. The Oilers’ Game 4 victory saw an incredible contribution from 15 of their 18 skaters recording points. Leading the charge was Connor McDavid, who delivered a standout performance with a goal and three assists. McDavid continues to make history, leading the NHL with 38 points and nearing the benchmark of 40 points in a single postseason. Additionally, McDavid broke Wayne Gretzky's single-playoff assist record set in 1988, accumulating 32 assists thus far. Defenseman Darnell Nurse also scored in Game 4, augmenting Edmonton’s potent defense, which leads the league with 17 goals this postseason. An impressive aspect of the Oilers' game is their penalty kill rate, the best in the league at 93.6%. Successfully defending 12 of 13 penalties in the series, and with Mattias Janmark contributing two short-handed goals, Edmonton’s defensive unit remains a critical asset.
Conclusion
As the series shifts back to Florida, eyes are on the Panthers to see if they can clinch the championship on their home ice. Meanwhile, the Oilers are focused on pushing the series to a sixth game, relying on their explosive offense and staunch defense to keep their hopes alive. Game 5 promises to be an exhilarating contest, one that fans from both sides will eagerly watch, anticipating whether history will be made or if the Panthers will ultimately lift the Stanley Cup.