Stanley Cup Final 2024: Connor McDavid's four-point night lifts Oilers to Game 5 win over Panthers

Oilers' 5-3 victory forces Game 6 Friday night in Edmonton

The Edmonton Oilers were able to outlast the Florida Panthers to win Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final. The Oilers used a three-goal second period to create just enough separation to record a 5-3 win.

In doing so, the Oilers were able to extend the series and force a Game 6 in Edmonton on Friday.

Oilers star center Connor McDavid produced another sensational outing with two goals and two assists. It marked the second consecutive game in which McDavid tallied a four-point performance.

His four-point outing brings his 2024 postseason total to 42 points (eight goals, 34 assists), which is the fourth-most in a single postseason in NHL history.

McDavid ended up assisting on the eventual game-winning goal at the 11:54 mark of the second period. The star forward weaved his way through the Panthers defense before dishing off a picture-perfect pass to Corey Perry for the tap-in goal. 

The goal was quite historic for the 19-year veteran. Perry is now the only player in NHL history to score a Stanley Cup Final goal with five different teams.

The Oilers got off to quite a strong start as they ended up jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the second period. 

Just five minutes into the second period, Oilers forward Warren Foegele secured the puck on the forecheck, and was able to get the puck over to McDavid. McDavid was able to skate his way in and score from the side of the net after Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky wasn't set in his stance.

Just when it appeared that the Panthers were firmly in the driver's seat, the Panthers scored two of the next three goals to make it a 4-2 game entering the third period. 

Panthers defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson added a goal just 4:04 into the third period, but the Oilers did just enough to outlast the Panthers down the stretch. McDavid added an empty-net goal at the 19:41 mark to put the game out of reach.

The Oilers have now lit up Bobrovsky for a grand total of nine goals over the past two games. In the opening three contests of the Stanley Cup Final, Edmonton had scored just four total goals.

[Jun 18, 2024 at 9:59 pm ET · Chris Bengel]

End of 2nd Period: Oilers 4, Panthers 2

There were goals aplenty throughout the second period. The Oilers were able outscore the Panthers 3-2 in the frame, and received goals from Connor McDavid, Corey Perry, and Zach Hyman. Both Hyman and Perry's goals came on the power-play, which is an area where Edmonton has struggled throughout the Stanley Cup Final. Meanwhile, the Panthers got tallies from forwards Matthew Tkachuk and Evan Rodrigues. Rodrigues' goal was his series-high fourth of the Stanley Cup Final. Buckle up for what should be an entertaining final 20 minutes in South Florida.

[Jun 18, 2024 at 10:51 pm ET · Chris Bengel]

Mattias Janmark swatted at the puck in a one-on-one battle, but the puck hits the post. 60 seconds left.

[Jun 18, 2024 at 10:46 pm ET · Chris Bengel]

Stuart Skinner makes the stop with 2:31 left in the third period. Sergei Bobrovsky had just left the net in favor of the extra attacker. The Oilers are trying to hold on, but it's not going to be an easy task.

[Jun 18, 2024 at 10:41 pm ET · Chris Bengel]

Massive penalty call with 7:32 remaining in the third period. Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov is headed to the box for tripping Warren Foegele. The Oilers could get some much-needed separation if they can cash in on the man advantage.

[Jun 18, 2024 at 10:36 pm ET · Chris Bengel]

Paul Maurice was not happy that the Oilers didn't get whistled for too many men on the ice on that last shift. Incredible back-and-forth action, but the Oilers still lead 4-3 with 9:57 to go.

[Jun 18, 2024 at 10:29 pm ET · Chris Bengel]

Matthew Tkachuk is tripped up by Dylan Holloway, but the Panthers aren't headed to the power-play. Tkachuk is also heading to the box for embellishment on the play. We'll get two minutes of 4-on-4 action in a 4-3 game.

[Jun 18, 2024 at 10:24 pm ET · Chris Bengel]

The Panthers have made this a very tight game. Florida was relentless on that shift to keep the puck in the zone. Defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson ends up ripping one up high to beat Stuart Skinner, and suddenly it's a 4-3 game. Amerant Bank Arena is loud.