Florida Panthers coach Paul Maurice believes that the intense pressure of the Stanley Cup Final has "evened out" now that the Edmonton Oilers have made a remarkable comeback to force a Game 6.
The Panthers had initially taken a commanding 3-0 series lead, but the Oilers stormed back to win the last two games, shifting the momentum significantly.
McDavid's Impact
This resurgence can be largely attributed to the exceptional performances by Oilers' star Connor McDavid. His back-to-back four-point games have been pivotal in turning the series around.
The Panthers find themselves back in Alberta, with the Oilers now shouldering an equal share of the pressure as they have clawed their way back into the series.
Notably, Florida has lost two opportunities to clinch the Stanley Cup with the trophy in the building, adding to the mounting tension.
The teams will face off in Game 6 at Rogers Place on Friday, where the Oilers will likely start to feel the expectations mounting. The stakes are now high for both teams. The once-clear goal for the Panthers is now within closer reach for the Oilers, evening out the pressure.
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 long stretches of the game, particularly in the final two periods, where they managed over 80% of the shot attempts.
Florida trailed 4-1 for much of the game but showed resilience in their play. Coach Maurice expressed optimism about their performance and believes that his team can build on their Game 5 effort for Game 6.
"I liked our opening period more than the following 40 minutes," Maurice said. Still, the Panthers have been dominant in 5-on-5 play all year, only experiencing a lapse in Game 4 for a period and a half.
Consistent 5-on-5 Play
The Panthers have maintained consistency in their 5-on-5 play for the most part, which continues to be a source of confidence for the team.
"We are comfortable against anybody in the world with our 5-on-5 game," said Maurice.
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 attempt to become the second team since the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs to rally back and win the Cup.
Quotes from the Coaches and Players
The shift in series dynamics has not gone unnoticed by 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," noted Maurice.
"There's an evening out in this series now. I think the pressure is closer [between us]. The stakes are 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," he added.
Reflecting on the season, he said, "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 Panthers continue to have faith in their 5-on-5 game plan. "We really like our 5-on-5 game. We're comfortable against anybody in the world with it," reiterated Maurice.
As Game 6 approaches, both teams are feeling the weight of their ambitions. The Panthers aim to shake off their recent setbacks and clinch the Cup, while the Oilers are riding a wave of momentum with history in their sights. The stage is set for an electrifying showdown at Rogers Place.