The Florida Panthers can win the Stanley Cup for the second year in a row by beating the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 of the final on Tuesday night.
Their first chance to clinch the franchise’s second championship comes at home after a dominant performance in Game 5 in Edmonton.
“It’s a great opportunity,” forward Matthew Tkachuk said. “Our fans have given us so much love and support and momentum this year that they deserve this type of game at home.”
Since opening night of their title defence, the Panthers have won 32 of 50 games at their arena on the edge of the Everglades. Their NHL record-tying success of winning 10 on the road during this season’s playoffs has allowed them the opportunity to close out the Oilers at home.
Florida beats Edmonton 5-2 and takes a 3-2 series lead in the Stanley Cup final. Brad Marchand scores twice to lead the way for the Panthers.
“We don’t really try to think where we are, where we play, but obviously it’s fun to be at home — have the home energy, have the home crowd, and be able to play in front of them,” centre Anton Lundell said.
“I’m sure it’s going to be a loud building, and we’re looking forward to it.”
Last year, they lost their first try on the road, then let two more slip away before finishing it off in Game 7. Players believe going through that prepared them for what is in front of them now.
“Everything we’ve kind of gone through, we just have more experience, so you get a little bit more comfortable in the situation,” forward Evan Rodrigues said.
“Whenever you can gain experience and feel like the moment’s not bigger than it is, it helps and it helps the nerves and, yeah, you just go out and play your game.”
For captain Aleksander Barkov, it’s important for the team to focus on the present.
“Experience helps with that kind of stuff, but the most important thing is to stick with your game,” Barkov said.
“That’s the thing. You don’t need to change anything. You need to just be as good as possible. And that’s been our whole mindset all playoffs: Every next game, you have to be a little better than the previous game.”
Skinner to start
Stuart Skinner is getting the call with his team’s season on the line.
The Oilers goaltender will start Tuesday 6 with Edmonton facing elimination. Skinner was pulled in Game 4 after allowing three goals on 17 shots in the first period.
Calvin Pickard took over and made 22 saves the rest of the in the Oilers’ 5-4 overtime victory.
The veteran journeyman got the net in Game 5, surrendering four goals on 18 shots in Florida’s 5-2 win that moved the Panthers within one victory of the team’s second straight Cup win after topping Edmonton in seven last June.
The Oilers are set to make two other lineup changes, with winger Kasperi Kapanen coming in for Viktor Arvidsson and John Klingberg suiting up in place of Troy Stecher on defence.
Game 7, if necessary, would be Friday in Edmonton.