Florida Panthers Take Series Lead Over Edmonton Oilers in Stanley Cup Final

The Florida Panthers are one win away from securing their second consecutive Stanley Cup after a commanding 5-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of the finals. Panthers' veteran Brad Marchand led the charge with two goals, bringing his playoff total to 10, while Sam Bennett continued his scoring dominance with his 15th goal of the postseason. Florida’s team defense was instrumental, effectively limiting the Oilers’ opportunities and frustrating Edmonton’s top players like Connor McDavid. Despite McDavid scoring his first goal of the series, the Oilers struggled to capitalize, with their power play going 0 for 3 and their goaltender Calvin Pickard conceding four goals. The Panthers, bolstered by strong goaltending from Sergei Bobrovsky and balanced offensive contributions from Marchand, Bennett, and Sam Reinhart, now hold a 3-2 series lead and will aim to clinch the title in Game 6 at home. Meanwhile, the Oilers face a critical do-or-die situation with historical precedent offering some hope for a comeback, though the Panthers’ momentum and defensive prowess present a significant challenge.