The Florida Panthers are one win away from claiming the Stanley Cup for the second consecutive year.
They deserve to be in that position. The Panthers showed exactly why during a masterclass performance in Saturday’s 5-2 road victory over the Edmonton Oilers.
Florida can close out the series Tuesday at home when the puck drops for Game 6 — which means the opportunity to hoist the Cup on home ice again — having shown they know exactly who they are and what it takes to be a champion.
Seen as the NHL’s bullies, that label does not adequately credit their talent. Sure, the Panthers have no qualms about playing smash-mouth hockey, targeting their opponents with a jab here, a facewash there and relentless physical play. Some teams cower under that attack — notably the Carolina Hurricanes in the conference finals. The Oilers have tried to match it, but all that has achieved is knocking them off their game.
But that does not override the fact the defending champion Panthers are a darn good hockey club, deep in talent and big on execution.
Want offense? The Panthers have delivered throughout the Stanley Cup Final as they have all playoffs. They have outscored the high-octane Oilers 24-16 through the series, and that is not the only proof of their dominance.
Florida has lit the lamp at least twice in the first period of all five outings — outscoring the Oilers by an 11-4 count in the opening frame — and led more than 200 minutes while Edmonton has been ahead for just under 34 minutes.
Want defense? While boasting the best goals-for-per-game in the playoffs, the Panthers also are the best defensive club, averaging 4.05 goals per game and 2.50 goals against. (Edmonton is at 3.86 goals for and 3.24 goals against.)
And that only tells part of the story. In Game 5, Edmonton was held to only three first-period shots, 11 through the first two periods and 21 in the whole game. All of those offerings in the final frame came after Brad Marchand’s highlight-reel tally gave the visitors a 3-0 lead five minutes into the period.
To their credit, the Oilers have been the ultimate comeback club this spring, and it would be no surprise if they manage to push the series to a deciding Game 7 on their ice. But they must be questioning themselves, and that goes beyond who to start in goal for the must-win affair.
Somehow, Edmonton must find a way to make the Panthers chase them in a game.
Somehow, the Oilers must find offense beyond the usual suspects and Corey Perry. The list of Edmonton’s non-factors in this series is lengthy, with Evander Kane, Trent Frederic, Adam Henrique and Connor Brown possibly their worst offenders.
Somehow, they must stop Florida’s attack — especially Marchand and Sam Bennett — which has displayed its depth throughout the playoffs.
Somehow, the Oilers must find a way to gain the upper hand. Even though Edmonton has twice beaten the Panthers with thrilling comeback wins, it is hard to imagine they can do it two more times.
The Panthers are just too good to fall into that trap again and fumble away another championship.
