Resurgent Oilers taking Stanley Cup Final day by day: ‘We’re playing on house money’

19.06.2024 19:15

Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid said after Game 4 that the goal was to drag the Florida Panthers back to Edmonton.

That’s exactly what the Oilers did after taking a 5-3 victory in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final on Tuesday.

While the Oilers have completely turned this series on its head, coming back from a 3-0 deficit to force Game 6 at home, the team knows it has to continue playing for survival before it can play for a championship.

“Right now, we’re playing on house money,” Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said Wednesday morning.

If that’s the case, the Oilers are certainly cashing in at the right time. Things looked nearly hopeless for Edmonton after Game 3. The Panthers won 4-3 on the Oilers’ home ice, and to that point had kept Edmonton’s high-powered offense to a minimum.

The Oilers have outscored Florida 15-4 since the third period of that game. Edmonton played to its strengths in Game 5, scoring two goals on the power play and adding another while short handed.

“Some teams… they shut down, they tense up. They just start not playing their usual game,” Knoblauch said. “This team, they’ve seen so much adversity… it just elevates their game.”

McDavid has been the catalyst for change in the series, playing like his normal self and beyond in the past two matchups. He’s averaged four points a game in Games 4 and 5. McDavid also eclipsed 40 points this postseason, joining the likes of Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux as the only players to ever do so.

“Anytime you’re compared or in the same realm as those two it’s a good thing,” McDavid said after Game 5.

While pleased with his team’s performance of late, McDavid also recognizes the Oilers still face a deficit in this series and are another win away from playing for the title.

“We’re glad it’s gonna go one more day,” he said. “But that’s all we’ve earned here.”

While it’ll be a challenge to slow down Edmonton’s offensive onslaught, the Panthers nearly kept up in Game 5. Florida erased a 3-0 deficit and were knocking on the door of tying the score before an empty-net goal from Edmonton put Tuesday’s game on ice. The real challenge could be getting past Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner. He’s come up in huge moments for the Oilers after a lackluster three games to start.

“You’re just trying to be in the moment and make the plays when you have to,” Skinner said.

His performance as of late is far from a fluke. In Games 4-7 this postseason, Skinner has a 9-0 record with a .939 save percentage and just 1.56 goals against per game. His clutch performance in late-series games has and will likely continue to pose problems.

The reality is the Panthers are still ahead in the series. But Edmonton’s belief goes stronger as the team inches closer to a comeback from 3-0 deficit that hasn’t been successful since the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs.

“You can never count the Oil out,” Skinner said.

Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky is scored on by Edmonton Oilers right wing Connor Brown during the first period of Game 5 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky is scored on by Edmonton Oilers right wing Connor Brown during the first period of Game 5 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Edmonton Oilers right wing Connor Brown celebrates after scoring a goal against Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky during the first period of Game 5 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad moves the puck against Edmonton Oilers right wing Connor Brown during the first period of Game 5 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers center Kevin Stenlund moves the puck against Edmonton Oilers center Adam Henrique during the first period of Game 5 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov and defenseman Niko Mikkola fight for possession of the puck against the Edmonton Oilers during the first period of Game 5 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice talks with Sam Bennett during his game against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk scores a goal against Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner during the second period of Game 5 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk moves the puck against Edmonton Oilers defenseman Philip Broberg during the second period of Game 5 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk moves the puck against Edmonton Oilers defenseman Philip Broberg during the second period of Game 5 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk celebrates after scoring a goal against Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner during the second period of Game 5 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk scores a goal against Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner during the second period of Game 5 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk celebrates after scoring a goal against Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner during the second period of Game 5 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk celebrates after scoring a goal against Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner during the second period of Game 5 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers center Evan Rodrigues scores a goal against Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner during the second period of Game 5 on Tuesday night. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers center Evan Rodrigues celebrates after scoring a goal against Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner during the second period of Game 5 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers center Evan Rodrigues celebrates after scoring a goal against Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner during the second period of Game 5 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk chases after a loose puck as Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid pursues during the third period of Game 5 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid celebrates after scoring a goal against the Florida Panthers Game 5 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Fans react after the Florida Panthers lose to the Edmonton Oilers during Game 5 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Fans react after the Florida Panthers lose to the Edmonton Oilers during Game 5 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Fans react after the Edmonton Oilers beat the Florida Panthers during Game 5 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Fans react after the Edmonton Oilers beat the Florida Panthers during Game 5 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Rob Veggie gets ready for the start of the game as The Florida Panthers take on the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Fans cheer on the The Florida Panthers as they take on the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Edmonton Oilers right wing Connor Brown (28) scores against Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) as The Florida Panthers take on the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) stops the puck as The Florida Panthers take on the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers center Anton Lundell (15) is hooked by Edmonton Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) as The Florida Panthers take on the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (10) moves the puck as The Florida Panthers take on the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) stops the puck as The Florida Panthers take on the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
The Florida Panthers celebrate a goal in the second period as they take on the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad (5) congratulates Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) on his goal as The Florida Panthers take on the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
The Florida Panthers celebrate a goal in the second period as they take on the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice is dejected as his team loses to the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice screams as his team loses to the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)