The Edmonton Oilers return to Rogers Place for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final riding a massive wave of confidence and momentum after staging one of the most remarkable comebacks in recent playoff memory, erasing a three-goal deficit to stun the Florida Panthers 5-4 in overtime and knot the series at two games apiece. With their home crowd ready to erupt, the Oilers have a golden opportunity to take command of a series that was teetering on the brink just a few nights ago, and their top stars are beginning to impose their will at the most critical time. Leon Draisaitl has become the heartbeat of this playoff run, contributing a three-point effort in Game 4 including his fourth career overtime playoff winner, while Connor McDavid, though slightly quieter on the scoresheet, continues to draw the opposition’s best defenders and create matchup nightmares with his speed and awareness. Edmonton’s surge was aided by an unlikely hero in Calvin Pickard, who stepped in cold for a struggling Stuart Skinner and delivered 22 saves in relief, giving head coach Kris Knoblauch a genuine goaltending dilemma ahead of Game 5. Whether Pickard or Skinner starts, the message is clear: the Oilers must tighten their play in front of the crease, especially in the early going, to avoid another uphill climb against a structured and physical Panthers team.

Defensively, the likes of Mattias Ekholm and Evan Bouchard have raised their game in transition and are beginning to control the pace from the back end, while forwards such as Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins have provided timely scoring depth and responsible two-way play. Edmonton’s strategy of targeting Sergei Bobrovsky’s glove side worked to perfection in Game 4, and that tactical clarity is something they will continue to exploit as long as Florida’s defensive adjustments remain minimal. Another major advantage for the Oilers is their discipline and composure—rather than retaliate to physical play or frustration, the team maintained its structure and stayed out of the penalty box in key moments, which speaks volumes about their growth and focus. The crowd at Rogers Place, which has been one of the loudest and most intimidating atmospheres in hockey, should provide a significant boost, especially with Knoblauch able to control matchups and maximize favorable situations for McDavid and Draisaitl. Edmonton’s power play remains a deadly weapon, and their penalty kill has improved with more aggressive puck pressure and timely clears. The key for the Oilers in Game 5 will be to sustain their attacking pressure, stay poised under Florida’s forecheck, and continue getting contributions throughout the lineup. If Pickard or Skinner can hold steady in goal and the team keeps its mental sharpness intact, Edmonton will be well-positioned to push Florida to the brink and take one step closer to capturing their first Stanley Cup since 1990. This is their moment to seize, and all signs point to a team peaking at the right time.