A hot start in Game 5 could make all the difference for Oilers, Panthers

The outset of games has been very important in this Stanley Cup Final. 

The Edmonton Oilers dominated the first period of Game 1, outshooting the Florida Panthers 12-4. But who got on the board early? Carter Verhaeghe and the Panthers. And who won the game? Florida won 3-0 to take a series lead. 

It took a bit longer in Game 3, but Sam Reinhart’s late first-period goal set the tone for a 4-3 Florida win. And in Game 4, it was all Edmonton early, and it was all Edmonton all night long. 

Game 5 should be no different. 

The Oilers need to start fast to push some doubt onto Florida while also instilling even more confidence onto their own bench. The Panthers need to start fast to assure Edmonton that their 8-1 win on Saturday is the only one they are going to get in this series. 

Tyler Yaremchuk: Edmonton can maybe grab some momentum and really hammer some doubt into Florida with a good start tonight. And I do think the same can be said from the other side of it. If you’re Florida, and you come out guns a-blazing, and it’s 2-0 in the first 10 minutes and that building’s going nuts and they’re chucking rats on the ice… I think you can crush the spirit of Edmonton pretty early on. The first five, 10 minutes I believe are really going to define this Stanley Cup Final. 

Frank Seravalli: I’m with you. If the Oilers can find a way to get on the board and quiet not only this crowd down, but also the Panthers. You’ve planted the seed of doubt. Now can you water it and germinate it?… I think it’s entirely possible… Having a chance to send this back to Edmonton for a Game 6. They’re in it now. I truly believe the pressure is off from an Edmonton perspective… You can put the desperation squarely on the Panthers. 

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