Oilers’ Connor McDavid drops ‘excited’ take ahead of Game 5

The Edmonton Oilers may be down 3-1 in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers, but after demolishing them by a score of 8-1 in Game 4, they have a bit of momentum heading into Game 5. And if you ask star center Connor McDavid, the Oilers are right where they want to be, even with their backs being up against the wall.

McDavid has begun to come to life for Edmonton over the past two games after a slow start to the series, and if he can continue to create goals at his usual rate, the Oilers have a chance to make this a series. McDavid is aware that the odds are stacked against him and his team, but he made it clear that he is pumped up for Game 5, and he’s looking forward to the opportunity to send the series back to Edmonton for Game 6.

Connor McDavid says the #oilers are excited heading into Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final: "There's nowhere else we'd rather be." pic.twitter.com/k8irv3YBd2

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) June 18, 2024

Connor McDavid, Oilers hoping to force Game 6 vs. Panthers

Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Only four teams have ever rallied from a 3-0 playoff series deficit in NHL history, but McDavid and the Oilers don’t really seem to care about that. They proved in Game 4 that they can throttle the Panthers when they are playing their best hockey, and momentum is a dangerous weapon to have, especially in hockey.

In order to win Game 5, the Oilers are going to have to be very nearly perfect. The Panthers will be playing on their home ice at Amerant Bank Arena, and considering how they have an opportunity to win the Stanley Cup in front of their home fans, they will be extra motivated to find a way to close out this series on Tuesday night.

If Edmonton intends on preventing that, McDavid is going to have to spearhead their offensive attack like he did in Game 4. Fellow stars in Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman will have to step up too, and Stuart Skinner is going to have to put together another strong effort in net if they want to live to fight another day.

All that is going to be easier said than done, but that’s par for the course when you fall behind in a series 3-0. It’s better than being eliminated, though, which McDavid seems to be implying with these comments. And as long as they have an opportunity to play, they are going to give it everything they’ve got.

This is not an ideal situation for the Oilers, but they have battled adversity all season long, and they have an opportunity to pull off one of the greatest comebacks in the history of sports. Winning one game at a time is the only way that can be accomplished, though, and McDavid’s comments should certainly strike a bit of fear in the Panthers as they attempt to close out this series for a second time.

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