FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The Florida Panthers have a chance to win their second straight Stanley Cup if they defeat the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 on Tuesday night. But closing out opponents in elimination games has been one of their few postseason flaws over the past two years.
«There's no secret that the Cup's in the building. It's going to be the toughest test, biggest game,» said winger Matthew Tkachuk, whose Panthers hold a 3-2 series lead over the Oilers. «We have to treat this as a Game 7.»
The Panthers infamously squandered three chances to eliminate the Oilers in last year's Stanley Cup Final before winning the Cup in Game 7. This postseason, Florida was shut out in losses in Game 6 against the Toronto Maple Leafs and Game 4 against the Carolina Hurricanes with a chance to close out each series before advancing with a win in the following game.
Under coach Paul Maurice (since 2023 playoffs), the Panthers are 10-8 in potential series-clinching games.
«We figured out a way to end those series. You put yourself in a position to eliminate the other team, but it's not guaranteed because the other team is pretty darn good,» said Maurice. «So there's nothing where you say, 'OK, now we've figured it out.' Because if you figured that out, next year you win 16 straight, right? Doesn't work like that.»
The Panthers said their experience in these situations will be an asset on Tuesday night.
«We played one Game 7, so maybe we have a tiny advantage with knowing the desperation that they're going to come out with,» said Tkachuk. «We have to match that desperation.»
Winger Evan Rodrigues said the Panthers will be able to approach this game with more emotional balance than in last year's Stanley Cup Final.
«Just stick to our
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