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 can be attributed significantly to back-to-back four-point performances by the Oilers' star Connor McDavid. Florida has been dragged back to Alberta, and the Oilers now share their burden of pressure, having clawed their way back into the series. The Panthers have now lost twice with the Stanley Cup in the building, adding to the growing tension.
The stakes have heightened for both teams as they head into Game 6 at Rogers Place on Friday. The Oilers are likely starting to feel the expectation to win ramping up, as the goal is closer now for the Oilers, which, according to Maurice, evens 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 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, creating an uphill battle for the team.
Maurice expressed optimism, stating that his team could build on their effort for Game 6. "I liked our opening period more than the following 40 minutes," he said. The Panthers have been dominant in 5-on-5 play all year and have shown that in their performances, barring a lapse in Game 4 for a period and a half.
Consistent 5-on-5 Play
The Panthers' consistency in their 5-on-5 play has been a hallmark of their season. "We are comfortable against anybody in the world with our 5-on-5 game," Maurice claimed. This confidence will be crucial in Game 6, as the team looks to close out the series and avoid a winner-take-all Game 7.
Game 6 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 try to become the second team since the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs to rally back and win the Cup.
Quotes from Coaches and Players
The pressure dynamics in the series have shifted. “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,” observed Maurice. “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.”
Summarizing the team’s backbone, Maurice 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.” He reinforced the team's strength, stating, “We really like our 5-on-5 game. We're comfortable against anybody in the world with it.”
As anticipation mounts, the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers prepare for a pivotal Game 6. With the pressure mounting evenly across both sides, it's a duel where every moment will count, and any lapse could be decisive.