But that, too, is familiar. The Panthers -- like the Oilers -- have been the road team in each of the first three series of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Panthers are 8-2 on the road in the postseason – including five straight wins – embracing, rather than being concerned about, having to win away from the friendly confines of Amerant Bank Arena.

At the end of the regular season, exactly one staffer at The Athletic still picked Edmonton to win it all. And one staffer picked Florida. That’s it. We should have known better. The Oilers and Panthers did. The fact is, to a great team, home ice is nice. But it’s not a must.

This playoff run has felt different for Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers, though they are now back in the same place vs. the Florida Panthers.