Connor McDavid wanted the Edmonton Oilers to bring the Florida Panthers back to Alberta, and he made sure it happened.
McDavid scored twice, including the final empty-net goal, and assisted on two others to secure a 5-3 victory in Game 5 on Tuesday night. This win kept the Stanley Cup Final alive, forcing a Game 6 in Edmonton on Friday and preventing elimination.
“I enjoy playing in the playoffs,” McDavid said. “I love being with this team. It’s been an exciting journey, and we’re happy it will continue for another day. But for now, all we’ve earned is one more day and one more flight. We’ll be ready in Edmonton on Friday.”
With consecutive impressive performances, McDavid matched Wayne Gretzky’s feat from 1985 by scoring four points or more in two final games. His eight points over this period are the most for a player in back-to-back games when his team faced elimination.
“Connor does what Connor does,” said Zach Hyman, who scored his 15th playoff goal with an assist from McDavid. “That’s what sets him apart. He his game when it matters most, and that’s why we’ve made it this far. We wouldn’t be here without him. He’s our driving force.”
Gustav Forsling takes the puck forward
The rallying cry “Drag them back to Alberta” was started by McDavid and echoed by Connor Brown just before the game. Brown, the other Connor, scored a short-handed goal five minutes into the game after Stuart Skinner made critical saves in the early moments, as the Panthers made a strong start in their bid to win the Cup.
Edmonton’s power play, which had been struggling, finally clicked in Game 5 with goals from Hyman and Corey Perry, both assisted by McDavid.
“Puts this team on his back,” Perry said of McDavid. “When we’re in a tough spot, he steps up and leads. That’s why he’s the best.”
Retired referee Kerry Fraser compared McDavid to Mark Messier, noting how Messier could dominate playoff games and series, much like McDavid is doing now.
McDavid has now totaled 42 points in this playoff run, joining Gretzky and Lemieux as the only players with more in a single postseason. His 42nd point, an empty-net goal, was celebrated with the Oilers’ victory song, “La Bamba,” echoing across Edmonton.
“We believed,” said fan Trevor Savage after Game 5. “We knew Connor could lead us. The team is ready, and we’re thrilled for Game 6 at home.”
McDavid wasn’t alone in his efforts. Brown’s goal made Edmonton the first team since 1991 to score short-handed in consecutive final games. Goalie Skinner, who had been a question mark, stopped 29 shots.
Stuart Skinner deflects the shot
Edmonton continued to challenge Sergei Bobrovsky, who had a tough night, including McDavid’s goal from a tough angle that Bobrovsky would want back.
If Bobrovsky struggles again in Edmonton, it could set the stage for a historic comeback. Only two teams in Cup final history have overcome a 3-0 deficit to win the series, with the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs being the only ones to win it all.
“It’s been an incredible journey this year,” Hyman said. “We have to keep writing this story. It’s not a great story unless you finish it.”
