Sam Reinhart reveals how Panthers shut down Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl

The 2025 Stanley Cup Final has been distinguished by quick action, hard plays, and famous players. Fans eagerly anticipated the bout between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers.

Something changed in Game 5, nevertheless. Florida played a smart game and managed to keep two of the NHL’s best stars from taking control. One Panthers player shared the team’s secret plan after the win.

Sam Reinhart explains how Florida slowed down Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in Game 5

In Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final, the Florida Panthers beat the Edmonton Oilers 5–2 at Rogers Place in Edmonton on Friday, June 14, 2025. The Oilers were unable to contain the Panthers' quick and focused attack, even if Connor McDavid registered his first goal of the series and Leon Draisaitl an assist.

Sam Reinhart addressed the news conference after the game and revealed what led to the change. "We've discussed taking away their time and space," he stated. Make them as uneasy as we possibly can. Staying near the puck, moving together, and playing both offence and defence as a team were among the priorities for the team, according to Reinhart. “That generates a lot of our offence. That's what we concentrate on,” he said.

Florida’s strong defence kept McDavid and Draisaitl quiet most of the night. The Panthers also used a lot of pressure in Edmonton’s zone to stop them from setting up plays.Also Read: Connor McDavid: The Unstoppable Rise Of Hockey’s Superstar

Connor McDavid hits playoff milestone while Florida shines

Though Edmonton lost, Connor McDavid reached a big personal mark. With his goal in Game 5, he became only the third player in NHL history to get 150 career playoff points in fewer than 100 games. Only Wayne Gretzky (68 games) and Mario Lemieux (86 games) reached that faster.

McDavid hit 150 in 95 postseason games, showing just how special his talent is.But on this night, the spotlight was on Florida’s teamwork. Brad Marchand led the charge with two goals, and Sam Bennett scored his 15th goal of the playoffs, the most by any player this year. Reinhart and Eetu Luostarinen also scored.Florida’s plan to shut down the Oilers’ top stars worked. Although McDavid and Draisaitl have played brilliantly throughout the playoffs, Game 5 revealed they can be defeated with the correct pressure. With the show gaining intensity, everyone now concentrates on Game 6, when Edmonton has to battle to remain alive.