The final series of the NHL season is shaping up in a truly amazing way. Many have already seen Florida with the first Stanley Cup in franchise history and did not doubt the Panthers' championship ambitions even after the deafening defeat of Paul Morris' team in the fourth game with a crushing score of 1:8. One of the main creators of the Panthers' success, Sergei Bobrovsky, missed 5 goals after 16 shots in that meeting and was replaced in the 25th minute, but the Russian goalkeeper remained calm. It was clear from the expression on his face that Bob understood that this was just one specific game, and Florida still needed only one victory to triumph.
In the hockey community, there was even a theory that the Panthers were allegedly deliberately They lost the fourth game of the series to win the Stanley Cup in Sunrise in front of their fans. Some reasoned this way seriously, but mostly as a joke. Everyone understands that not a single self-respecting sports team of professionals would even be embarrassed to think about this.
In any case, the Panthers will have to stay in Edmonton again — instead of a historic victory in their native walls, Florida was defeated by the Oilers. Mainly — at the hands of the best hockey player on the planet.
Connor McDavid was rightly criticized after his team's defeats in the first three matches of the final series. The Canadian genius was expected to perform appropriately as a leader, but he had only three assists and zero goals. When communicating with journalists, Makdi did not hide his emotions, and along with them, his character.
“I'm looking forward to seeing our team come together and show what we're made of. I'm looking forward to the moment when people start doubting us again,” said Connor.
Obviously, the critical situation in which his team found itself awakened real sports anger in the Canadian. McDavid took a direct part in the defeat of Florida in the fourth game of the series, when he scored an assist hat trick and set a new NHL record for the number of assists in one playoff game. In the fifth meeting, Makdi again tamed the Panthers. “Florida” failed in the opening period of the match: even having the opportunity to play on the power play, the home team conceded first and, with the exception of a couple of moments in the opening of the match, did not create any danger at Stuart Skinner’s goal.
In the second 20 minutes, Maurice's team performed even worse — McDavid beat Florida literally single-handedly. The Canadian took part in all three of Edmonton's goals during the period, making two assists and scoring one goal. The third goal of the Oilers was special. It was abandoned by the legendary Corey Perry, but it was McDavid who did everything. Connor showed a cosmic level and phenomenal technique, reminding everyone why he is the best hockey player on the planet, left Florida's defense in the cold and beautifully rolled the puck into the empty corner of Bobrovsky's goal.
The Russian goalkeeper of the Panthers could not do anything in this episode, which cannot be said about the previous one, when McDavid cleverly missed Bob with a throw into the near corner.
In the third period, “Florida” noticeably improved, while “Edmonton” expectedly sat down, playing for the result. In the final stages of matches, the Panthers traditionally perform more powerfully and better than their opponents. Therefore, there was reason to believe in their comeback in the match. Especially after they reduced the gap in the score to a minimum, and Sergei Bobrovsky made an important and spectacular save.
However, Florida’s pressure on Skinner’s goal for the fourth goal was not enough, and at the end of the match McDavid hit an empty net .
The Canadian became the first NHL player in history to score 4 points in two consecutive games of the Stanley Cup Final series. Connor also became one of the three greatest players in the league who managed to score 40 or more points in one playoff game. Previously, this peak was conquered only by Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux. After 23 matches of the tournament, the Edmonton leader has 42 points (8 goals and 34 assists). The league record belongs to Gretzky (47 points in 18 games, 1984/85 season).
Will McDavid achieve this result? It is unknown, but no one will be surprised if this happens. As well as the Oilers' likely comeback. The series score is 3-2 in favor of Florida. The confrontation returns to Edmonton, where Bobrovsky and Co. will face the most difficult match of the season.