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, but Edmonton stormed back to win the last two games, bringing the series to a critical juncture.
McDavid's Impact
This resurgence has been thanks in no small part to back-to-back four-point performances by Oilers' star Connor McDavid. His outstanding play has been instrumental in dragging the Panthers back to Alberta, forcing them to defend their lead on the road.
The Oilers now share the burden of pressure, having clawed their way back into the series. With each win, the expectation to prevail only ramps up for Edmonton, putting them on more equal footing with Florida in terms of pressure.
Interestingly for the Panthers, they have now lost twice with the Stanley Cup in the building, a psychological hurdle they’ll need to overcome as they head into Game 6 at Rogers Place on Friday.
Reflecting on Game 5
Florida arrived back in Edmonton on Thursday, still smarting from a 5-3 loss in Game 5. Despite the scoreline, the Panthers dominated for long stretches of the game, especially in the final two periods where they managed over 80% of the shot attempts.
However, they trailed 4-1 for much of the game, a deficit that proved insurmountable. Coach Maurice expressed optimism, noting that his team could build on their effort for Game 6.
"I liked our opening period more than the following 40 minutes,” Maurice said. “The Panthers have been dominant in 5-on-5 play all year."
Indeed, the Panthers have shown remarkable consistency in 5-on-5 situations throughout the season, experiencing only a brief lapse in Game 4 for a period and a half.
Consistent 5-on-5 Play
Florida's strength in 5-on-5 play has been a cornerstone of their success this year. "We are comfortable against anybody in the world with our 5-on-5 game," Maurice emphasized.
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 aim to become the second team since the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs to rally back and win the Cup. Such a feat would not only cement their place in NHL history but also validate their resilience and determination in this hard-fought series.
Quotes from the Coaches and Players
Coach Maurice reflected on the dynamics of 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."
He added, "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."
As the Panthers prepare for Game 6, Maurice remained confident: "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 stage is set for a thrilling Game 6, with both teams feeling the weight of expectation and the allure of glory. The Panthers will need to harness their 5-on-5 prowess and overcome recent setbacks, while the Oilers will look to continue their momentum and make history. Either way, fans are in for an exciting continuation of the Stanley Cup Final.