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Oilers Drag Panthers Back To Alberta |
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After the Game 4 victory, the message from the Oilers captain was clear and became a rallying cry for the rest of the team "we're gonna drag them back to Alberta." It wasn't all pretty but the Oilers found a way to win Game 5 and force a Game 6 on home ice.
Edmonton attacked early in the game, nearly scoring in the first minute of the game from a quality chance by Mattias Janmark. Throughout the first period, I felt the Oilers played a strong game at all ends of the ice, limiting the Panthers ability to breakout and sustain pressure.
For the second straight game the Oilers scored a shorthanded goal, this time a beautiful solo effort by Connor Brown. Brown deflected a pass in the Oilers end, before skating in on a breakaway and waiting out Bobrovsky for the perfect backhand finish. Shots were 10-6 for the Oilers after 1 with it certainly feeling like they could have been up 2-0 or better.
At the beginning of the second period, Edmonton continued to put pressure on. A penalty taken by the Panthers at the end of the first period led to a Bouchard slapshot that deflected off Hyman for the 2-0 lead. A few minutes later, some strong board work by Foegele led to McDavid firing a sharp angle shot on Bobrovsky for the 3-0 lead and what looked like a guarantee that we were heading back for Game 6.
Unfortunately, it was at this point where Edmonton played my least favorite game; sitting on a lead and letting their opponent take control of the game. The Oilers play at their best when they are aggressively attacking their opponent and forcing them into plays, for the remainder of the second and third periods, Edmonton essentially let Florida cycle the puck as they pleased and made untimely turnovers.
Phlip Broberg has been a strong addition to the roster since he was brought in against Dallas but in Game 5 his youth and inexperience were showing. Broberg got caught a number of times in the game and also made some unforced errors and turnovers which led to a number of Panthers chances. To make matters worse, Darnell Nurse certainly wasn't providing much insulation for the young player. I really don't know what the call is moving into Game 6. Kulak played a solid game so maybe you give Kulak and Ceci or Broberg heavier minutes while leaving Nurse to take on whatever is left.
Stuart Skinner was solid once again and has proven that as the games go on in a series, he only gets better. Skinner made a number of huge saves in the second and third and kept Edmonton in it even when the guys in front of him were sitting back.
Quick thought on Leon Draisaitl. It's very clear the forward is playing severely injured right now and isn't anywhere close to his best. Obviously we don't know exactly what he is dealing with but if Edmonton is going to keep this run going, they need #29 to score some goals or at least help that second line come out on top.
Alright, it's time to talk about the MVP of this game, the series, and the playoffs. Connor McDavid absolutely dominated this game and was the best player on the ice the moment his skates hit the ground. His second four point game in a row, the first time in history it's been done in a Stanley Cup Final is impressive alone but combine that with his tenacity at all ends of the ice and you realize we are watching something special here.
McDavid has already cracked Gretzky's assist record in the playoffs, a record no one thought could be passed again but now #97 is within range of #99's record of total points in the playoffs. Connor McDavid has 42 points and is just 5 away from tying the record of 47. The Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded to the player with the best playoffs. Whether the Oilers win or lose, McDavid is certainly the most deserving player for that honor.
As far as Game 6 goes, we will see if there are any lineup changes. Knoblauch seemed to think Kane would get back in at some point but it's a fair argument to question how you break up a group that has won you two straight and kept your season alive.
The one player I could see getting swapped out is Derek Ryan, who has been solid on the PK but has struggled at 5 on 5. I wonder if Kane slotted into the fourth line could add a different mix and another weapon the Panthers should be wary of.
Winning Game 4 was nice to avoid being swept. Winning Game 5 started to put some pressure on the Panthers. The Oilers will now look to tie the series in Game 6 and push this series to 7 and a chance at another Stanley Cup.
Thanks for reading.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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