Panthers vs Oilers Game 5: Players call it an all-time great as Cup Final reaches boiling point
Stanley Cup Final Game 5 called an all-time classic as tension builds between Panthers and Oilers (Getty Images)
As the Stanley Cup Final barrels into Game 5, the showdown between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers has already carved out a place in NHL history. With the series locked at 2-2, Saturday night's clash at Rogers Place promises to be a game-changer — or just another chapter in what's already being hailed as an all-time classic.
All eyes on Game 5: Stanley Cup Final matchup already being called one for the ages
The stakes couldn't be higher. Whoever comes out on top will take a 3-2 series lead and head to Sunrise for Game 6 with a chance to claim hockey's most coveted prize. Statistically speaking, history leans in favor of Saturday's winner — in 11 of the 16 Finals tied at 2-2 since the 1967 expansion, that team went on to lift the Cup.
'This is Christmas, this is the payoff,' said Panthers head coach Paul Maurice after his team's 5-4 overtime loss in Game 4.
His words capture the pulse of a series filled with heart-stopping moments, wild momentum swings, and relentless intensity.
Stanley Cup TIED 🤝 DRAISAITL wins Game 4 in OVERTIME 🚨
Game 4 was another rollercoaster. The Oilers clawed back from a 3-0 deficit, eventually winning in overtime thanks to Leon Draisaitl's heroics. It marked the third overtime thriller in four games, a feat accomplished only seven other times since 1967. These contests haven't just been competitive—they've been electric.
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Veteran forward Corey Perry, playing in his sixth Final, didn't hesitate to crown this one as possibly the best he's ever been a part of. 'It's two good teams and they're equally matched… it's fun to be a part of,' he said.
The fireworks haven't just come from the stars. Goaltending has also been a standout feature. Matthew Tkachuk called the performances 'unreal,' giving special praise to Panthers netminder Sergei Bobrovsky: 'He gives us a chance every single night.
So he's been incredible.'
Off the ice, coaches are riding the emotional rollercoaster. 'It's exhausting. It's a roller coaster,' Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch admitted. 'There's a lot on the line, but it is fun. I think our guys are having a lot of fun enjoying this moment.'
With 32 goals already scored — the most in a Final's first four games since 1980 — fans can expect more fireworks. Whether Game 5 settles the tone or sets the stage for another epic twist, one thing's clear: the 2025 Stanley Cup Final is already unforgettable.
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