Panthers GM visibly furious after his defenseman quits on McDavid's goal
Oliver Ekman-Larsson may get an earful from coach Paul Maurice and GM Bill Zito after his brutal effort on the back-check at the end of Game 5.
With the game still within reach at 4-3, Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk made a sensational defensive play with 21.5 seconds remaining to prevent an empty-net goal. Unfortunately, his teammate, Ekman-Larsson quit on the play, resulting in a McDavid goal to put the game away.
Following the play, Panthers GM Bill Zito was absolutely livid, watching his defenseman quit on a play like that in the Stanley Cup Finals with a chance to tie the game late with time remaining on the clock. Zito grabbed a water bottle and whipped it off the wall in his suite in pure disgust.
It's safe to say that Maurice and Zito likely had a word or two with OEL following the disappointing, reprehensible effort on McDavid's insurance marker.
It wouldn't be shocking to see Ekman-Larsson in the press box for Game 6 with how that play developed.
The Panthers defenseman has just 2 goals and 4 assists for a total of 6 points across 22 playoff games so far.
Source for OEL's playoff stats: Hockey DB
Oliver Ekman-Larsson Stats and Bio
| POLL | ||
JUIN 19 | 495 ANSWERS Panthers GM visibly furious after his defenseman quits on McDavid's goal Will the Panthers win the Stanley Cup or choke away a 3-0 series lead and lose to Edmonton? | ||
| Panthers in 6 | 79 | 16 % |
| Panthers in 7 | 106 | 21.4 % |
| They'll choke. Oilers in 7 | 310 | 62.6 % |
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