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Oiler and Panthers Game 5 Stanley Cup Final Recap

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This is our recap of the game, presented by us at Last Word On Hockey. The Edmonton Oilers had entered Game 5 with home-ice advantage over the Florida Panthers, with the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Final series tied 2-2, you had to think that Oiler fans were expecting the best. It was a frustrating game to watch in some respects, but the Panthers did look strong in victory. Ultimately, when all your big guns are firing, and your big guns are as good as those on the Panthers, they win. Maybe not the series, but it’s not over yet. Going to Florida, up 3-2, it is a new series.

The Panther and Oilers Game 5 from Edmonton, Game Recap

As an example of how it all shook down, let’s start 30 seconds into the game. Connor Brown found himself on a partial breakaway. However, that opportunity was thwarted by the glove of Sergei Bobrovsky. Moreover, as it progressed, the Edmonton Oilers were not playing well in the first period of play. However, the Oilers have a way, despite possibly lacking structure, of making you feel as though they’re in the game. It was even still early on in the game, the Oilers had three or four great scoring opportunities that went to the wayside, and somewhat forgotten. You know, in terms of building any sense of in-game momentum in the Oilers favour. But then when it all comes down to it, Brad Marchand and Sam Bennett, 2-0 Florida Panthers. More on that goal where Sam Bennett had made it 2-0. A loose puck off a Matthew Tkachuk shot that was blocked, landed right on Bennett’s stick.

The second period was not all that eventful. The period ended with the shots 13-to-11 in fact, in the total for the game to that point. So, from also being in a 2-0 game, you could get the sense that not much was going on. Unfortunately for Edmonton and its fans, that was playing right into Florida’s hands. From Edmonton’s perspective, for a team relying on the offensive dynamos, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl scoring at a high clip, you could potentially see how that could possibly compound problems, maybe. In any case, now the Oilers are down two, going into three.

The Panthers came out in the third period up 2-0, and did more than they needed to secure victory. They scored, gave up a goal to Connor McDavid, and then Sam Reinhardt promptly went in and made it 4-1, restoring the three-goal cushion. Game 5 kind of exited around seven minutes remaining. You could tell a 4-1 lead, this late in the third period was safe. There was just no way Florida was going to blow this one.

The Florida Panthers Ultimately Rein Victorious

The Florida Panthers were more than deserving than to win Game 5 and take a three-games-to-two lead in the series. Going back home to Sunrise, Florida for Game 6, which will go on Tuesday night.

The Edmonton Oilers left some to be desired tonight. Let’s be honest, they need to be scoring a little more. It was a tough decision to go with Calvin Pickard over your starter Stuart Skinner. However, the numbers did suggest it. Now, with Pickard dropping his first playoff game in 2025 by a score of 5-2, outshooting the competition 21-19, the boys need to get going.

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The big storyline, Brad Marchand with two-goals on the night. That included the game-winner for Florida. He said in his post-game interview with Gene Principe of Sportsnet that it is all about, and I may be paraphrasing slightly, process and structure.

Game 6 will sure to be a thriller. Can Connor McDavid and crew force a Game 7 back home, or will Aleksander Barkov and Florida just end it, then and there? Find out Tuesday night.

Main Photo Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

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