OILERS Dispatch: Game 5, Stanley Cup Finals

by Zach

I watched half of the first period and the entire second period of Game 5 before turning it off—I was just too tired. What can I say? The Florida Panthers are built for the postseason, and the OILERS are talented but rely on their talent to perform at a high level in order to be successful. When that talent can't get through (i.e. because of suffocating playoff defense, which the Panthers know how to do), well, then they are doomed to failure. 

The Panthers weren't the best team in the regular season. They weren't favored against any of the teams they played in the playoffs. They've had to go on the road to begin every series. And, yet, they have found a way. They crushed the Lightning in the first round. The Maple Leafs should have beaten them in Round 2—up 2-0, then got it to a Game 7—but the pressure in Toronto is just way too immense, and the Leafs folded, like they always do. The Carolina series was weird because Carolina is also really built for the postseason, but the Hurricanes turned into a pumpkin against the Panthers. 

I really didn't see how Edmonton could let this chance slip away. Connor McDavid—the most skilled player in the game, the most fun player to watch—needs a Cup. All the greats do. Can you imagine if Alex Ovechkin hadn't won that Cup in 2018? Even though he set the record for the most goals ever, he would eternally be looked at as a loser. That's how it will look for McDavid if he can never win one. How many more chances will he get? That seems to be enough motivation for the OILERS to pull this one out.

But the Panthers are just so good and so disciplined and so built for playoff hockey. It's hard to beat. The thing that has surprised me at times is that the Panthers have felt slightly more motivated. Their acquisition of long-time heel Brad Marchand at the trade deadline from the Bruins might be the main reason I feel this way. He scored two goals tonight that were nothing but pure motivation. Skill, yes—he turned the OILERS inside out on the plays—but grit and motivation. I haven't seen the same from the OILERS, who rely on their skill mostly. 

The OILERS goalie situation is in flux. It's not why they're losing, but the Panthers have the reliable Bobrovsky between the pipes, and it's not clear who will be starting Game 6 for the OILERS (guessing Picard again though). 

It's clear that everyone should be rooting for the OILERS regardless. The Panthers won last year, and back-to-back champions are less fun. I'm not one of the people that likes to make fun of Canada. Canada deserves its first Cup since 1992 way more than South Florida, of all places, deserves another one. If the Panthers win, it will mean Florida has taken four of the last six Cups (Tampa Bay won in 2020 and 2021). And that's no fun. If you throw in Vegas winning in 2023, that's five of six hot weather destinations winning the Cup since COVID. And that's not OK.

Game 6 is Tuesday. The Stanley Cup will be in the building. It must not remain there. It must travel to Edmonton for the pivotal Game 7. The OILERS must win in order for the world to remain right and just.