The Panthers obviously would've hoped to have closed out the series on home ice, avoiding having to go back to Edmonton where the series could get very interesting. The Oilers performance on home ice with the support of their fans has been near unbeatable all season, and it's hard to imagine the Panthers could pry the Cup away from them in Edmonton. Not only that, but the Sportsnet broadcast said many Panthers family members wouldn't be happy about flying back to Edmonton.
Now, if the Oilers can defend home ice on Friday night, all the pressure will shift towards the Panthers to not have the biggest series choke in NHL history. Today while speaking to the media, Paul Maurice was more calm and collected about the series situation he's in now.
The entire city of Edmonton will be behind the Oilers for a critical Game 6. After then, the next time Edmonton sees the Oilers, it'll either be for a Stanley Cup Parade or locker room clean out day. If they pull off a win in Game 6, at least the Oilers will get a positive send off on home ice this year - not watch Matthew Tkachuk lift the cup in Rogers Place.
