Panthers take pivotal Game 5 of Stanley Cup Finals

Florida's Brad Marchand scored twice by half-way through the 1st-period, the first on a highlight reel goal, splitting the Oilers' defense and roofing the puck past goalie Calvin Pickard.

Sam Bennett, who is having a Conn Smythe-worthy playoff himself, scored late in the 1st to make it 3-0 for the visiting side, snapping a shot past an out-of-control Pickard.

Game 5 was reminiscent of Game 4, when Florida took a commanding 3-0 lead into the 1st intermission. Except, this time Florida's lead would hold-up for the rest of the game.

The 2nd-period saw Edmonton push-back and flood the Florida d-zone, but to no avail, as neither team scored.

The 3rd-period was a different matter altogether, in terms of goal scoring. Brad Marchand scored his second goal five minutes into the final period.

Edmonton, however, responded only two minutes later, with a Connor McDavid deke around Florida goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, making it 3-1.

Sam Reinhart restored the 3-goal lead for Florida only 40 seconds later, on a heartbreaking wrist shot from the left faceoff circle. Oilers' Corey Perry then scored with goalie Pickard on the bench for an extra attacker, and closed the gap at 4-2.

The game was never really in question at this point, though Luostorinen made it official with a Florida empty-netter from his own d-zone, to close-out the game at 5-2.

Sam Bennett's goal in this game was his playoffs-leading 15th, and Brad Marchand's two, puts the diminutive forward at six in this series alone.

In contrast, Oilers Connor McDavid's goal was his first of the finals series. In fairness, McDavid has played extremely well in the playoffs, and finals series also; but they will need the Edmonton superstar to take charge in Game 6, if his team hopes to stretch
the series to seven games.