Edmonton Oilers Made a Costly Mistake in Game 5
The Edmonton Oilers completely fell flat in Game 5 against the Florida Panthers—and now, they’re staring down elimination.
There was just one thing they absolutely couldn’t afford to do: not show up. And somehow, that’s exactly what happened. It’s baffling how a team can come out so lifeless—especially on home ice—right after stealing momentum with a strong Game 4 win.
By the end of the first period, it was obvious: this didn’t look like the real Oilers. It was as if they sent out stand-ins to skate in their place. Maybe they were trying to make the series more dramatic, and if so, mission accomplished. With only two games left, they’ll need to win both to keep their championship hopes alive.
A loss now, and it’s over. No more second chances. And once again, the Panthers will have knocked them out, just like last season. If that happens, superstar Connor McDavid will have to wait yet another year to chase his elusive first Stanley Cup.
The Oilers Took the Energy Out of Their Own Arena
Rogers Place was mostly silent throughout the game. The crowd didn’t have much to cheer about until McDavid finally scored nearly midway through the third period. At that point, Edmonton had managed just 16 shots on goal—equal to Florida—but the difference was the Panthers made theirs count, with Brad Marchand scoring twice.
The Oilers also lacked physicality. By the middle of the third, Florida had 22 hits compared to Edmonton’s 15. Considering the urgency and the momentum gained after Game 4, you’d expect the Oilers to come out aggressive and hungry. But they didn’t.
Soon after McDavid’s goal, Sam Reinhart capitalized on Edmonton’s weak defensive play to make it 4-1 and put the game out of reach. At that point, it was clear: the Oilers had no juice left. They’d been flat for almost the entire game, while Florida stayed sharp, tough, and disciplined from start to finish.
The Oilers Must Deliver on the Road or Face Elimination
If there’s any silver lining, it’s that Edmonton still has a chance to even the series with a win in Florida. They already managed a gritty road win in Game 4—but can they do it again? It’s a tall order, especially if they repeat the performance they gave tonight.
At the end of the day, they’ve got no one to blame but themselves. They had the crowd. They had the momentum. And yet, they played like a team already thinking about summer break—not one determined to lift the Stanley Cup.
