Stanley Cup Last Recreation 5 takeaways: Panthers near historical past 

The Florida Panthers are one win away from one other championship after Saturday’s 5-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers to take a 3-2 sequence lead. Listed here are some key takeaways from their Recreation 5 win.

This was a scientific efficiency by the Panthers

All the pieces about this recreation was the Panthers at their best possible, and why they’ve been in three straight Stanley Cup Finals with an opportunity to win a second.

There was extra clutch scoring from Sam Bennett.

There was nice goaltending from Sergei Bobrovsky when wanted.

And there was absolute scientific defensive play to fully shut down one of many highest-powered offenses within the league. It was smothering, championship-caliber protection and play. There was not a staff within the NHL that was beating Florida on this night time.

Legacies are on the road in Recreation 6

For each groups.

With regards to the Panthers, it is a probability for historical past. It is an opportunity to affix the uncommon ranks of back-to-back champions and cement themselves as the most effective staff of the 2020s. 

However there’s one thing greater on the road for Edmonton. Particularly, the celebrity duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

They’ve all the particular person honors and stat traces that any participant may ever need. They’re two of the most effective, most efficient gamers of their period. However the one factor they’re nonetheless missing is their names on the Stanley Cup. Truthful or not, this period of sports activities is outlined by rings and championships and for gamers to take their place among the many all-time greats, at the very least one championship appears to be a should. 

McDavid and Draisaitl have been within the NHL for a decade and are nonetheless looking for a championship. In the event that they exit with out a lot of a struggle in Recreation 6, it is just going so as to add to the strain on them.

Florida’s “rats” maintain shining

And by rats, we imply their agitators of Brad Marchant and Bennett.

Whereas they’re recognized for his or her bodily and irritating fashion of play, additionally they maintain establishing themselves as big-time clutch gamers. Bennett scored one other objective on Saturday, whereas Marchand added two extra so as to add to his Stanley Cup Last legacy.

It should be excellent timing for them as each are set to be unrestricted free brokers this summer time.

These kind of performances persist with common managers, and with the wage cap set to rise this summer time, each gamers are certain to money in.

Particularly if they’re key parts to a different championship.