Panthers HC Paul Maurice quips about Brad Marchand & Sam Bennett's impressive goals tally in Stanley Cup Final

The Florida Panthers are now just one victory away from lifting the Stanley Cup after their 5-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5.

Brad Marchand netted two goals and Sam Bennett added another in the Panthers’ 5-2 Game 5 win over the Edmonton Oilers.

Marchand now has six goals in the Stanley Cup Final, while Bennett has five—giving the duo a combined total of 11 goals. That accounts for half of Florida’s total scoring in the series.

When asked why Marchand and Bennett have been so effective in the high-stakes finals, Maurice quipped:

"If I knew that, I'd have played in the NHL."

He went on to praise their mental toughness and ability to stay focused within each game.

"They don't get too high; they don't get too low. Their energy level’s high; they're very focused on the game. There's a mental toughness there, a mental capacity to stay within the game and not try to break it open. Just wait, be patient." (0:49 onwards)

Paul Maurice noted that patience has a unique meaning in hockey.

"It doesn't mean sit back — I mean they're aggressive men — but the patience part of it is their experience." Paul Maurice added.

With Marchand and Bennett leading the way, the Panthers now have a chance to clinch the Stanley Cup on home ice in Game 6.

Paul Maurice on Panthers 5-2 win against Oilers

Brad Marchand got Florida on the board at 9:12 of the first, jumping on a loose puck and beating Pickard with a slick move. Sam Bennett made it 2-0 at 18:06, burying a rebound just after a Panthers penalty kill.

"When you're on the road and you can keep the building from lighting up in the first 10 minutes… That's just a big part of the emotions of what goes on." Paul Maurice said on early start.

Marchand struck again at 5:12 of the third, slipping past Jake Walman and sliding the puck through Pickard’s legs for a 3-0 lead. Connor McDavid answered at 7:24 with a slick deke past Bobrovsky to make it 3-1.

But Sam Reinhart responded just 46 seconds later, firing home a one-timer at 8:10 to restore Florida’s three-goal cushion. Corey Perry scored from the point at 16:47 with the extra attacker, but Eetu Luostarinen iced it with an empty-netter at 18:41, sealing a 5-2 Panthers win.