Edmonton Oilers at Florida Panthers – Stanley Cup Finals Game 5

The Florida Panthers began the quest for their first Stanley Cup just like the Boston Celtics began their quest for an 18th NBA championship. They jumped out to a 3-0 lead and did it in dominating fashion.

Game 4 also went the same for both teams, but not in a good way. The Celtics lost by 38 points to the Dallas Mavericks in their first effort to close out the series, the third-worst defeat in NBA Finals history. The Panthers were annihilated by the Edmonton Oilers in Game 4, 8-1. It was the fourth 8-1 victory in Stanley Cup Finals history, only trailing the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 8-0 victory over the Minnesota North Stars in total goal differential.

The Celtics were able to move past their own blowout loss and clinch the series in a fifth game. Florida is hoping that the similarities between their series and the NBA Finals continues for one more game.

“I think we needed to go through the experience,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said as the team prepares for Tuesday night’s Game 5. “I mean, we would have traded the experience for a win. But then you have to embrace the learning.”

What exactly did we learn from Game 4?

Connor McDavid the Key for Edmonton

We already knew that Connor McDavid was one of the best one or two hockey players in the world, and that was on full display in Game 4. He had four points in the game, and he now has 32 assists in these Stanley Cup playoffs, which breaks the record for most assists in a single playoffs previously held by Wayne Gretzky.

We also already knew that when you put your name above Gretzky’s on any statistical list, you have done something special.

There is still lots of work to be done for the Oilers. But the odds on McDavid winning the Conn Smythe Trophy have shortened to +700.

Sergei Bobrovsky Still Betting Favorite

One thing we learned in Game 4, and a thing that may have come as a shock to some people, is that Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is human.

He allowed five goals on 16 shots, and he no longer has a chance to set the all-time record for best save percentage rate in the Stanley Cup Finals. And this may have been forgotten because of how outstanding he was in the first three games of this series, but he also gave up five goals to the New York Rangers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals. He also gave up six goals in Game 4 to the Tampa Bay Lightning back in the opening round of the playoffs.

He is still a favorite to win the Conn Smythe Trophy, paying even +100 odds. But he is human, and he can look human when facing a great offense like Edmonton’s. Also at +100 is Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov, who has seven goals and 14 assists in the playoffs.

Panthers Heavy Favorites to Win

You are getting the Panthers at -142 on the moneyline for Game 5. With the series back in Florida, the Oilers are +120 to pull off the road win. The Panthers puck line bet is +180.

Overall, the Panthers are -1100 to win their first Cup, whether it comes Tuesday in Game 5, Friday back in Edmonton for Game 6, or a possible Game 7 in Florida on Monday, June 24.

But those possible later games won’t be on the table if the Panthers defense can tighten up and defend their home ice, where they are 8-3 this postseason.