It seems to be the general consensus that McDavid will get the Giguere treatment if the Oilers don't end up winning. If they do win, he's the run away favorite for the Conn Smythe trophy. Bob has lost that front runner position after the last couple games.
The Oilers find themselves now in a position they are very familiar with, down 3-2 having to force game 7. It happened 2 years ago against the Kings and in round 2 this year versus Vancouver. I think Florida will play their best game in the next game(s), the whole team has to be ready. The Panthers have let 2 opportunities to win the cup slip, one of them at home, and after last year, they are going to try their absolute hardest to not blow this.
On the Oilers side of things, I think the momentum of the series has truly flipped, the difference in the last two games has been that the Oilers are finally getting some puck luck and Bob has looked human. Also, McDavid is absolutely carrying this team on his back right now. I can't help but think about what could have been right now, the Oilers lost 2 games early in this series where they were by far the better team, (games 1 and 3), if they had a bit of puck luck in one of those games, they would be heading back to Edmonton with a chance to lift the Stanley Cup on home ice. Unfortunately, if they are going to win, it's going to have to be in Florida, but first they're going to have to win game 6.
I have a feeling Florida will come out hard in game 6, they sort of did in game 5, but the short handed goal against really killed whatever momentum they had. Much like last night, the Oilers are probably going to have to weather an early storm. If they are able to get that done, they then need to go and flip the momentum the other way. Last night again, that was done with Connor Brown's shorty, but I have a feeling it's going to be the Oilers powerplay that is going to be the difference next game. It was very good last game, cashing two goals, but I feel like they could have had more if the ice was better, it was very slushy, passes were slow and the puck was bouncing everywhere, which is advantageous for penalty killers who seek to disrupt passes and get the puck out of the hands of the powerplay. The ice will be better in Edmonton, not having to deal with the heat and humidity of Miami.
My X-factor player for next game is Leon Draisaitl, he hasn't looked the same in the final, most likely due to an injury but I want to see him have a big game. He has been such a reliable playoff performer throughout his career and in the previous rounds, but he has yet to make his impact in the Final. We need him to be at his best.
One detail from last game the Oilers really need to clean up is getting the puck out of the zone when they have a chance. 2/3 Florida goals were off failed clearing attempts. Dig in along the boards and chip that thing out, no ticky tacky board plays.
