Throughout the last two Stanley Cup Finals, Connor McDavid has been unable to produce as much offence as usual. The Florida Panthers have done an excellent job of shutting him down in crucial situations. McDavid has yet to score a goal in this year’s Cup Final. With a 2–2 series tie and a massive Game 5 set to take place Saturday night, is it time for the Oilers’ superstar to step it up?

McDavid versus Barkov

One of the key reasons the Panthers can contain McDavid is because of Aleksander Barkov. The forward recently won the Frank J Selke Trophy for the third time in his NHL career. He, alongside teammate Sam Reinhart, were two of the finalists for this year’s trophy. Without these two defensive forwards, the Oilers would have a much easier time on offence. Their play at both ends of the ice makes it extremely tough for the Oilers’ star player to generate much. McDavid currently has just three even-strength points through four games in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final.

Barkov has been a bit quiet in this year’s final. He has only recorded two assists through the first four games of the series. An argument could be made that both captains need to step up in Game 5. However, Barkov has been solid in the defensive zone. He has limited McDavid from getting high-danger chances, and when he does, Sergei Bobrovsky has shut the door. One of the best parts of Barkov’s game is his ability to win faceoffs. He was a standout in Fame 4, winning 70% of his faceoffs. He has only been held to under 50% on faceoffs once throughout the entire Stanley Cup Playoffs.

A positive from there being so much focus on McDavid is that it creates opportunities for the Oilers’ depth players. Game 4 was a solid replication of this when Darnell Nurse, Jake Walman, and Vasily Podkolzin were able to score. Barkov was able to defend McDavid well in Game 4, but struggled with this in Game 2. Here, he was on the ice for three of Edmonton’s goals, including Corey Perry’s late game-tying goal.

McDavid’s Game 5 history

Looking at his playoff career, McDavid has had some phenomenal performances in Game 5. In the 2025 playoff run, his best Game 5 performance was against the Dallas Stars. McDavid was the one to seal the series win with a slick breakaway goal that put the Oilers up 4–2 heading to the third period. This goal finished the Stars as you could feel their energy evaporate after this goal.

Another exceptional Game 5 performance from McDavid was in last year’s Stanley Cup Final. This was his best game in the final where he put up two goals and two assists to help lead the Oilers back home for Game 6. This game was extremely important as it put all of the momentum of the Oilers side for Game 6, which led to a dominant 5–1 victory.

One of the most clutch performances of his hockey career came in Game 5 of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Oilers were destroying the Calgary Flames as Game 5 went into overtime. Leon Draisaitl set up McDavid for a sweet overtime-winning goal to help the Oilers eliminate the Flames. The dynamic duo of Edmonton made a massive statement in this series, stating that bright times were ahead.

Game 5 is a must win

Saturday night’s Game 5 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final will be the most important game of the series. Whoever wins this game will have two chances to close out the series and win the Stanley Cup. McDavid and the Oilers won Game 5 last year, which was part of a historic comeback that barely fell short in the end. The Oilers captain must be ready to go Saturday night.

Game 5 always serves as a pivotal game for the Oilers. They won Game 5 in all three of their previous series on the road to the Cup Final. A couple of those victories won them the series, proving how impactful the Oilers have been in these games. McDavid was only a key factor in the game against Dallas. It was the Oilers’ depth that shone in the other wins. One of the biggest questions going into Game 5 is who will start in goal for the Oilers? It could be a decision that makes or breaks the game.

Looking at the Panthers’ point of view, they are in the same boat as the Oilers. They have won all three of the pivotal Game 5s in their playoff run and look to do so again in Edmonton. An intimidating stat is that the Panthers won all of those on the road. Who do you think will win the all-important Game 5?

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Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire

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