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Game 5 Between the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final Tonight

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The Edmonton Oilers faceoff against the Florida Panthers for the fifth game of the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Final from Northern Alberta on this Saturday evening in mid-June. There are certainly many storylines within the series right now. One of the main ones is which goalie gets the start in Edmonton’s end. So let’s find out that and all the latest for Game 5 of the Oilers and Panthers to get you ready for tonight’s action.

NHL Predictions: Stanley Cup Final Game 5 Florida Panthers vs Edmonton Oilers

Game 5 of the Oilers and Panthers Tonight, But Who’s In Edmonton’s Net?

The Game 4 ended in thrilling fashion, but we are going to start with something else. Ever since Stuart Skinner had taken back over from Calvin Pickard, he had been posting incredible numbers. Between May 12th and before Game 3, Skinner had gone 7-2. He was really on a roll.

Unfortunately for Stu, the Florida Panthers, perhaps with the aid of last change, have seemingly figured out the Oilers backstopper, really the whole time in Sunrise. Or even Game 2 for that matter. For whatever reason, it just seems like it was time to pass the torch back to the backup. That’s exactly what head coach Kris Knoblauch has decided is to give Pickard the crease tonight.

The Obvious Pick Seems to Be Pickard

For Pickard, he’s still only a veteran of 175 regular season contests. At 33, the Moncton, New Brunswick product only played three playoff games last year and the nine games he’s appeared in 2024-25. That’s it, 12 games of NHL playoff experience.

 

Moreover, his numbers these playoffs have been the stuff that legends are born from. He has a 2.96 goals-against average but the key stat, is that he is 7-0. Also, he carries a very strong ranking in an important advanced analytic. His high-danger save percentage is ranked first among goalies who got out of round one (.848).  If it wasn’t for him getting injured earlier in the playoffs, he might very well have run the table. In contrast, to Skinner’s credit he did have a very successful stretch of play. It just seems like Pickard’s time has come. Skinner has done his job. The tandem achieved an impressive standing in that they are now just the second tandem of goaltenders to each claim seven victories in the same postseason. The other, Marc-Andre Fleury and Matt Murray for the 2017 Pittsburgh Penguins.

Other Storylines from the Oilers Perspective

Another emerging storyline is that of Leon Draisaitl. After his Game 4 overtime game-winner, he broke the NHL record for overtime goals in one post-season. He might just be edging his way in voter’s minds for Conn Smythe consideration.

Whenever you look at Connor McDavid‘s incredible playoff statistics, if not more amazingly is the fact that right there with him is his teammate, often even linemate, Draisaitl. Check out their combined stats from the past four postseasons. In 73 games, that neither of the two superstars missed, the club is 43-30. Draisaitl has accumulated 41 goals and 72 assists in those four playoffs. That total points, 113, would have him tied with Pavel Datsyuk on the all-time playoff point list. Now, McDavid is further again, with 32 goals and 95 assists. But the combined dominance of the dynamic duo is nothing short of legendary. Draisaitl and McDavid are 1-2 in scoring in these finals for Edmonton as well. For Draisaitl, with four goals and three assists, his performance this round alone might get him some playoff MVP votes.

Troy Stecher had a tough first period in Game 4. That included a missed high-stick call that led to a Panther goal. However, as Mark Spector of Sportsnet reports, he’s in and he’s starting, too. Look for him to lineup with Darnell Nurse. There was some thinking John Klingberg would find his way in, but that’s ultimately not the case.

What About for the Panthers for Game 5 versus the Oilers

One major storyline for the Panthers, besides they’re the defending champs of course, is their road play. On the road this postseason, they are 9-3. Given the Panthers leadership, losing Game 5 sure isn’t a deathnote, but a road victory would be huge.

So, there you have it. There’s just some of the main storylines heading into Game 5, it’s down to a best-of-three, mini-series. Tonight you know Edmonton will be rocking. Buckle up for a wild ride into the Alberta night.

Main Photo Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

The post Game 5 Between the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final Tonight appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.