Florida Panthers’ Stunning Overtime Victory Ignites Stanley Cup Hopes—Highlights, Key Plays & What’s Next

Florida Panthers Force Stanley Cup Final Deadlock with Thrilling Double-OT Victory over Oilers Lead-Off: A Classic in Edmonton The Florida Panthers clawed back into the 2025 Stanley Cup Final on Friday night, edging the Edmonton Oilers 5-4 in a pulse-pounding double-overtime Game 2 at Rogers Place. Veteran winger Brad Marchand buried the winner 12:27 into the second extra frame, capping a comeback that ties the best-of-seven series 1-1. How Florida Flipped the Script • Early adversity: The Oilers raced to a 3-1 first-period lead behind goals from Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, but Florida’s forecheck wore down Edmonton’s blue line as the night progressed. • Goaltending duel: Sergei Bobrovsky shook off a shaky start to stop 46 of 50 shots, including a pair of breakaways in the first overtime that preserved the tie. • Depth scoring: Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Bennett each netted third-period goals, while Marchand’s two-goal outing reminded everyone why Florida added the playoff-tested star at the trade deadline. Key Numbers That Matter • 19 – The Panthers’ franchise-record postseason wins over the past two playoff runs. • 7-0 – Florida’s record this spring when scoring at least four goals. • 2 – Consecutive Cup Final games requiring overtime; analysts are already calling this the most riveting start to a Final in years. What’s Next: The Series Shifts to Sunrise Game 3 is set for Monday, June 9 at 8 p.m. ET inside Amerant Bank Arena, where Florida is 7-2 this postseason. Expect head coach Paul Maurice to keep Marchand on the top power-play unit after the 36-year-old generated a game-high nine shots. Meanwhile, Edmonton coach Kris Knoblauch hinted at possible blue-line changes to counter Florida’s relentless cycle game. Why the Panthers Hold Momentum 1. Physical edge: Florida outhit the Oilers 48-32, slowing Edmonton’s transition offense. 2. Special teams surge: The Panthers’ penalty kill is 8-for-8 through two games, neutralizing the NHL’s most lethal power play. 3. Experience: Having won their first Cup last spring, this roster knows how to manage swing games on home ice. SEO Takeaway Fans searching for “Florida Panthers Stanley Cup Final schedule,” “Brad Marchand overtime goal,” or “Panthers vs Oilers Game 3 preview” will find Florida’s momentum story impossible to resist. Bookmark this page for daily updates, live coverage links, and behind-the-scenes insights as the Cats chase back-to-back championships in South Florida.