The Florida Panthers have the opportunity to secure their second consecutive Stanley Cup if they manage to beat the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 on Tuesday night. However, closing out series in elimination games has been a weak point for them in the last two playoff seasons.
The Panthers, led by Matthew Tkachuk, who emphasized the importance of treating the game like a seventh game, are looking to avoid repeating past mistakes. In last year’s Stanley Cup Final, they squandered three opportunities to eliminate their opponents before securing the championship in Game 7. This postseason, they suffered defeats in Game 6 against the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Carolina Hurricanes, missing the chance to close out each series on the first attempt. Under the direction of coach Paul Maurice, the Panthers have a 10-8 record in games where they could secure the series.It’s no secret that the Cup is in the building. It will be the toughest test, the most important game. We have to treat this like a Game 7.
Matthew Tkachuk, Panthers player
The Panthers are confident that their experience in these situations will be an advantage on Tuesday night.We managed to finish those series. You put yourself in a position to eliminate the other team, but it’s not guaranteed because the other team is very good. So there’s nothing you can say, ‘OK, now we’ve figured it out.’ Because if you figure it out, next year you win 16 in a row, right? It doesn’t work like that.
Paul Maurice, Panthers coach
We played a Game 7, so maybe we have a little advantage knowing the desperation they’re going to come out with. We have to match that desperation.
Matthew Tkachuk, Panthers playerEvan Rodrigues, also a Panthers player, believes the team will be able to approach the game with greater emotional balance than in last year’s final.Florida took the lead in the series with a 5-2 victory in Edmonton on Saturday night, thanks to goals from Brad Marchand and a solid defensive effort. Once again, the Panthers were boosted by their strong start, outshooting the Oilers 11-4 in the first period, including a 7-0 in the first three games. However, Maurice warned that scoring first guarantees nothing.Just stay in our game. Don’t try to make the moment bigger than it is. It’s just another hockey game. You just have to do what has given you success in the past. Stay in the moment and do your job.
Evan Rodrigues, Panthers playerTkachuk emphasized that the Panthers know that closing out the series against the Oilers in Game 6 will be a challenge, especially with Connor McDavid trying to avoid a second consecutive elimination in the Stanley Cup Final at the hands of Florida. He’s desperate to win the Cup. We are too. But obviously he’s a talent like no one else in the league. He’s very difficult to stop. I don’t think you can stop him. You can only try to limit him as much as possible. Obviously they are one of the best, if not the best, team I’ve played against in my career and in the playoffs. So I’m sure Game 6 is going to be very difficult.I think it’s been a great challenge, really. We’ve had leads in games and watched them evaporate. They’re built to attack. When they’re down by one or two goals, they’re incredibly difficult to handle and it’s the style of play they’re very, very good at.
Paul Maurice, Panthers coach
