The Florida Panthers are just one win away from their first-ever Stanley Cup, and despite a Game 4 stumble against the Edmonton Oilers, momentum still favors the Cats heading into Game 5 on home ice.
After a near-perfect playoff run and a commanding 3-0 series lead, Florida’s unbeaten streak came to a halt Thursday night as the Oilers clawed their way back to life with an emphatic 8–1 victory. But even with that loss, the series stands at 3-1 — and history still favors the Panthers.
💥 Game 4 Recap: Oilers’ Explosive Response
Facing elimination, the Oilers delivered a statement performance. Led by Connor McDavid’s four assists and a surging offense that refused to quit, Edmonton stormed past the Panthers in front of a roaring Rogers Place crowd.
It was a complete turnaround from the defensive dominance Florida displayed in the first three games. In Game 4, the Panthers looked sluggish, took costly penalties, and left goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky out to dry. Bobrovsky was pulled after allowing five goals on 16 shots — a rare moment of vulnerability for one of the postseason’s top performers.
Yet despite the loss, Florida didn’t seem rattled. The team spoke with calm confidence postgame, insisting the defeat wouldn’t define their series.
“We’re still in control,” Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov told reporters. “One game doesn’t erase what we’ve done.”
🏆 Home-Ice Advantage for Game 5
Florida now returns to Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, where they’re 8-3 this postseason. Historically, teams leading 3-1 in a Stanley Cup Final go on to win the Cup over 90% of the time. That’s a stat the Panthers would like to uphold.
Game 5 presents the perfect opportunity for redemption. Head coach Paul Maurice emphasized the need to stay out of the penalty box and re-establish defensive structure — both trademarks of the Panthers’ identity throughout the playoffs.
Meanwhile, the Oilers are hoping their Game 4 breakout is more than a one-off. McDavid, who has 38 points this postseason, finally found space to operate, while Leon Draisaitl added much-needed physicality and presence in the offensive zone.
But can they do it again — this time on the road, under pressure, against a team hungry for its first-ever championship?
🔄 Adjustments Ahead: What Florida Must Fix
For the Panthers, bouncing back means going back to basics:
- Tighten defensive coverage in front of Bobrovsky.
- Avoid penalties, especially against a red-hot McDavid-led power play.
- Get the forecheck rolling again — Florida’s pressure game was non-existent in Game 4.
Maurice hinted at possible lineup tweaks, particularly on the third defensive pairing. Whether that means new combinations or simply renewed focus remains to be seen.
And don’t forget about the crowd — Florida fans will be electric, sensing the opportunity to witness history on home ice. The Stanley Cup will be in the building. One more win, and the party begins.
🔥 Key Players to Watch in Game 5
Sergei Bobrovsky – Florida’s MVP until Game 4. Can he bounce back? History says yes — he’s been stellar in every elimination-preventing situation.
Matthew Tkachuk – The heartbeat of the Panthers. Expect a gritty, physical response from him after a quiet Game 4.
Connor McDavid – After finally breaking through Florida’s defense, the best player in the world will be gunning to push this series to six.
🧊 Final Thoughts: The Cup Within Reach
The Stanley Cup is in Florida’s hands — all they need to do is grip it. After years of heartbreak, rebuilds, and close calls, this is the Panthers’ moment to seize.
Edmonton isn’t going down without a fight — they’ve proven that — but the odds, the momentum, and the storyline still favor the Cats. Game 5 is set to be a defining night in Florida hockey history.
📅 When is Game 5?
- Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2025
- Location: Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, Florida
- Time: 8:00 PM ET
- Broadcast: ABC, ESPN+
Don’t miss it — history could be written in Sunrise.