Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images
The 2025 Stanley Cup Final is heading to Florida for Game 3 of the series, which now stands deadlocked at 1-1 following the Panthers’ double overtime win in Game 2. In yet another closely fought battle, both teams took to the ice with renewed energy following Game 1, which also ended in the final seconds of overtime.
This rematch was expected to go down to the wire as both teams are pretty evenly matched, and with the series all tied up, and the way the Oilers and Panthers are playing, it certainly has the potential to go to a Game 7.
Coming into Game 2, the Oilers held the advantage with home support on their side and the knowledge of having won the first game of the series. Falling behind 0-2 would have been a tough pill to swallow for the Panthers, but Florida’s intent of not doing so was evident, especially in the second period. So, here is a breakdown of how the game played out.
Connor McDavid’s Jaw-Dropping Assist Puts Edmonton in Driver’s Seat in Period 1
The first period of Game 2 saw plenty of action, and both teams played a physical brand of hockey. As a matter of fact, there were as many as 11 minor penalties in the first period itself, with both teams playing just about 8.5 minutes of five-on-five hockey.
Nevertheless, the first period saw a total of 5 goals as the Panthers opened the scoring a little over 2 minutes into the game with Sam Bennett’s record 12th goal on the road. Left winger Evander Kane then evened things up as his shot found the top left corner of the net on just the 4th shot on goal for the Oilers.
Edmonton then took a 2-1 lead through Evan Bouchard, who was relatively unmarked in front of the goal, but moments later, Florida was able to tie the game again courtesy of Eetu Luostarinen, who found an open Seth Jones on the left side for the score.
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And if that wasn’t enough, then came the play of the day as Connor McDavid worked his magic as he faked to the right, went left, turning Alexander Barkov around, then faked out Aaron Ekblad while putting the puck between both and finding teammate Leon Draisaitl for yet another goal. An individual piece of brilliance had the Oilers up 3-2 at the end of the first period.
Panthers Dominate Period 2
Things settled down in the second period, which Florida dominated. Without conceding a goal, the Panthers scored two of their own heading into the break with a 4-3 lead. Florida’s third goal was an unfortunate one for the Oilers as the shot was taken from the blue line and ricocheted off Bouchard into the net.
However, Florida’s second goal of the period was a brilliantly taken shorthanded goal by Brad Marchand. Working the power play, Edmonton left Marchand open, and he broke away for a one-on-one with the goalie, putting the puck easily into the bottom corner.
Edmonton Strikes Back With Seconds Left in the Game
Down 3-4, the third period remained scoreless, and it looked like the Panthers would hold out for the win. However, Corey Perry had other ideas as he worked tirelessly from the face-off, to the boards, to finding a position in front of the net and slotting in the game-tying goal with about 18 seconds left in the game. Incidentally, this became the latest game-tying goal in Stanley Cup Final history.
Brad Marchand’s Double-OT Goal Wins It for Florida
As the game went into double overtime, Marchand once again found himself with space and broke away, beating out Draisaitl and putting the puck through the 5-hole, which just about trickled past the line for the game-winning goal.
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The Panthers’ forward was already having a great game before his second goal, with several scoring opportunities throughout the game and especially in overtime. It was a huge goal in the context of the series as Florida now avoids going down 0-2 for Game 3.
Both teams are evenly poised at this juncture of the series, and both games up to now have been very close, requiring overtime to settle the scores. However, the defending champs carry the momentum with them as they head back to familiar territory to play Game 3 in front of their fans. Will that be enough for the Panthers to take their first lead of the series is the question waiting to be answered.