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. This remarkable resurgence was thanks in no small part to back-to-back four-point performances by Oilers' star Connor McDavid.
McDavid's Impact
The series has shifted dramatically with Florida being dragged back to Alberta. 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. As they head into Game 6 at Rogers Place on Friday, the Oilers are likely starting to feel the expectation to win ramping up. The stakes are high for both teams. The goal is now closer for the Oilers, which 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. Yet they trailed 4-1 for much of the game. Maurice expressed optimism, saying 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, only showing a lapse in Game 4 for a period and a half.
Consistent 5-on-5 Play
The Panthers have been consistent in their 5-on-5 play for the most part. "We are comfortable against anybody in the world with our 5-on-5 game," Maurice noted. The consistent performance in 5-on-5 scenarios has been a hallmark of the Panthers' approach all season, making their recent challenges all the more surprising.
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 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 mental aspect of high-stakes playoff hockey is evident in the reflections and comments of both coaches and players. One sentiment resonates clearly: "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." This quote underscores the transformative emotional journey both teams have undergone throughout the series.
Maurice continued to emphasize the psychological dimension of the series: "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."
The Panthers' coach remains confident despite the recent setbacks. "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 reiterated, "We really like our 5-on-5 game. We're comfortable against anybody in the world with it."
As the series looks to possibly culminate in an exciting Game 6, the stakes and pressures have indeed evened out. Both teams are not just battling for a victory in one game but are contending with the psychological hurdles that come with being so close, yet so far from hockey immortality. With star players like McDavid stepping up spectacularly and coaches like Maurice maintaining a strategic and calm outlook, the stage is set for a dramatic showdown in Edmonton. Fans of both teams will eagerly tune in, knowing that the outcome could go in any direction—a testament to the thrilling unpredictability of playoff hockey.