By Adam — SoFlo Sports Buzz
June 15, 2025 | Edmonton, Alberta
After the gut-punch of Game 4, the Florida Panthers delivered a commanding response with a 5–2 win over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5. That victory gives them a 3–2 series lead, setting up a potential clincher on home ice in Sunrise.
First-Period Statement
Florida brought intensity early. At 9:12, Brad Marchand sunk the first puck—skating through traffic, navigating past defensemen, and firing a precise snapshot past Calvin Pickard, sending a wave through the Oilers’ bench.
Late in the period, Sam Bennett struck again at 18:06, burying a rebound and notching his 15th goal of the playoffs, cementing his position atop the postseason scoring leaderboard. By intermission, the Panthers held a 2–0 lead, riding momentum and structured play.
Bobrovsky & the Blue Line Stand Tall
Florida’s defensive blockchain held firm. Bobrovsky stopped 19 of 21 shots, making early, vital saves—like on Connor Brown’s partial breakaway just 29 seconds into the game—and calming the arena from the get-go. Between his composure and Florida’s shot-blocking effort, Edmonton never found rhythm.
Marchand’s Magic and the Third-Period Surge
The dagger was Marchand again. At 5:12 of the third, he executed a dazzling move—fake, deke, backhand five-hole—adding his second goal of the night and sixth of the series.
Edmonton tried to answer with Connor McDavid’s first goal of the Finals at 7:24, but Sam Reinhart immediately responded at 8:10, wristing a shot through traffic and pushing the lead back to three.
Corey Perry closed the gap to two at 16:47, but Florida finished strong. Eetu Luostarinen sealed the game with an empty-netter at 18:41, securing a 5–2 road win.
Depth, Structure & the Path Forward
- Game flow: Florida opened the scoring in four straight games and registered two-goal first-period leads in three of the last four .
- Marchand and Bennett: Vital offensive leadership—Bennett leads the playoffs with 15 goals; Marchand is one of the rare players to score five-plus in multiple Finals.
- Bobrovsky’s night: His 19 saves—many critical in the final minutes—halted Edmonton’s momentum.
- Lightning-fast response: Every time Edmonton scored, Florida answered within a minute or two, preventing any meaningful surge.
Game 6 Preview: Home Ice & Championship Atmosphere
With a 3–2 edge, Florida heads back to Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise for Game 6 on Tuesday night. If they win that game, they’ll hoist the Stanley Cup in front of home fans. That’s rare—few teams get to clinch at home in the Finals.
What Florida needs to do:
- Sustain first-period intensity again.
- Lean on special teams—both power play and PK have tilted toward Florida.
- Maintain offensive balance across lines—this victory showcased depth beyond the top duo.
- Rely on veteran dressing room leadership to keep the emotions steady and focused.
Edmonton will be fierce—they’re down, not out. But at this point, the pressure shifts entirely to the Panthers, and they’re ready to strike.
Check out the highlights from the game.