BTN News: The Florida Panthers fell 5-3 in Game 5, ending their bid for a first-ever Stanley Cup at Amerant Bank Arena on Tuesday night. The Oilers, desperate to keep the series going after falling behind early, took an early lead and held off a late push by the Panthers, ensuring a trip back to Edmonton for Game 6.
A Strong Start for the Oilers
Connor Brown stole the puck from Brandon Montour and opened the scoring with a shorthanded breakaway goal against Sergei Bobrovsky before the game was five minutes old, putting Edmonton right where it wanted to be: ahead. It was the second consecutive game that the Oilers opened the scoring with a shorthanded goal.
Edmonton made it 3-0 with a power-play goal from Hyman early in the second period, followed by McDavid scoring at full strength. But the Panthers clawed their way back into the contest after falling into a quick hole on the scoreboard.
PITT (17-0) live-blog: Panthers’ resilience in the second half
The Panthers then seized control midway through the second period. Tkachuk buried a wrist shot from the slot after taking a pass from Evan Rodrigues past Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner. Corey Perry got in on the goal-scoring act with another on the power play for the Oilers, before Rodrigues replied to make it 4-2 before the end of the second period.
Caught Up In The Third Period
A wrist shot by Oliver Ekman-Larsson early in the third period made it a one-goal game for the Panthers and gave them a glimmer of hope down the stretch. Even despite outshooting Edmonton 11-4 in the third and attempting 24 shots to the Oilers’ 7, the Panthers just couldn’t solve the Oilers’ defense. A late empty-net goal from Connor McDavid put the game away for the Oilers with seconds remaining.
Looking Ahead to Game 6
While they may have lost the next best thing to a Super Bowl, the Panthers seem satisfied with a good-faith effort. “Friday, we have another chance at it,” Matthew Tkachuk said. “Especially to the beginning of the series, we put ourselves in a position to have that cushion, so just kind of the same mind frame we had tonight. Going back to Edmonton up 3-2. And couple days get ready to go for that and get back healthy and rested and ready to go.
It is a sentiment that was NOT lost on coach Paul Maurice. I weared out, but I do not feel discouraged. This time of year, we always say – OK, Game 7. Nothing’s changed for us. We didn’t get the win that we were hoping for. Before the game, we were done. Tonight, we were just so good here. That is the North We Choose
Florida, meanwhile, is off to get ready for Game 6, which will take place in Edmonton at 8 p.m. Friday at Rogers Place where they hope to win the Cup on the road.