The Edmonton Oilers are turning the Stanley Cup Final into an exciting series after all. After surrendering the first three games of the series to Florida, Edmonton has surged to win the past two games. They are doing so in impressive fashion. In fact, the Oilers have outscored the Panthers 13-4 over the last two games. Connor McDavid has willed his team back into the series and recently made a promise to the media.
McDavid spoke with the media following Game 5 and was clearly pleased that his team is still alive. The Oilers are excited to get one more chance in front of their home crowd.
“I love playing in the playoffs. I love playing with this group. It's been a fun ride and we're glad it's going to go one more day,” McDavid said, per NHL insider Chris Johnston. “But that's all we've earned here: Another day, another flight. We'll be ready to go in Edmonton on Friday.”
McDavid was a hero in Game 5 and has been the single most important player of the series over the last two games. He has completely willed the Oilers back to life. McDavid became the first player in the 108-year history of the Stanley Cup Final to deliver back-to-back four-point games. This all-time accomplishment is even more impressive because it came just at the right time.
Edmonton literally needed McDavid to step up and carry the Oilers and he has done just that. He single-handedly rescued their season.
ESPN analyst Ray Ferraro gave McDavid the proper praise.
“We keep saying he’s the best player in the game, or the best player on the planet,” Ferraro said. “And then when he does that it’s so obvious the difference between him and the very best players.”
Previewing Game 6 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final: Can the Oilers force a 7-game series?
The Edmonton Oilers will not go down without a fight.
It is clear that the Oilers will give the Panthers everything they have in Game 6 in front of their home crowd. This will put a lot of pressure on Florida's goalie Sergei Bobrovsky.
Bobrovsky has been one of the most influential players in the entire series. He was absolutely on fire during the first three games — he shut out Edmonton in Game 1, was 18 of 19 in Game 2, and 32 of 35 in Game 3. However, he has struggled ever since.
Florida eventually pulled Bobrovsky in Game 4 but put him back in for Game 5. He allowed four goals on 23 shots on goal in Game 5, thereby forcing Game 6.
One could argue that this is less of Bobrovsky falling apart and more about Edmonton's stars finally heating up. Regardless of the cause, Oilers fans would like to see the series continue to trend in Edmonton's favor.
The Oilers have the chance to make history. Only one team has come back from a 3-0 deficit in the Stanley Cup Final to win the series — the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs. Edmonton would be the first team in over 80 years to accomplish the impressive feat.
If the Oilers force a Game 7, they will have to return to Florida.
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