As Oilers surge, Panthers still focused on ‘winning 1 game’

Greg Wyshynski, ESPNJun 19, 2024, 01:13 AM ET

CloseGreg Wyshynski is ESPN’s senior NHL writer.

SUNRISE, Fla. — The Florida Panthers do not believe the Stanley Cup is slipping away to Connor McDavid and the rallying Edmonton Oilers.

The Panthers saw their Stanley Cup Final lead cut from 3-0 down to 3-2 after Edmonton’s 5-3 Game 5 victory. It was the second straight game McDavid recorded four points, as the Oilers became just the fourth team in NHL history to force a Game 6 after losing the first three games of the Final, which has happened 29 times.

Florida star Matthew Tkachuk dismissed a suggestion that the Panthers are feeling the pressure in trying to close the series out, losing their second straight game with the Stanley Cup in the arena.

“No, no, no. It’s not an elimination game for us. We’re going up there with a 3-2 series lead. Just got to take care of business like we did in Game 3,” said Tkachuk, referencing Florida’s 4-3 victory that gave them a 3-0 series lead.

The Panthers pushed hard to try and tie Game 5 after falling behind 4-1. Tkachuk assisted on defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson’s third-period goal to cut it to 4-3, but they couldn’t find the equalizer. Tkachuk said the comeback falling short was tough to swallow.

“We’ve got another crack at it on Friday. We did a really good job at the beginning of the series of building that lead, so really nothing changes from tonight’s mindset,” he said. “We’re up 3-2 going back to Edmonton. Couple days to get ready to go for that and get back healthy and rested and ready to go.”

Panthers forward Sam Bennett said he doesn’t feel that the series is slipping away.

“I mean, we’ve just got to win one game. It’s as simple as that. We’re not thinking about that. We’re just thinking about winning one game,” he said.

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Source link : https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/40384098/as-oilers-surge-panthers-focused-winning-1-game

Author : Greg Wyshynski

Publish date : 2024-06-19 06:17:13

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