A dominant display by the Panthers in Game 3
Game 3 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final swayed away from the script that followed in the first two games of the series. Much of the storyline heading into this game was the highly competitive nature of the series, as both teams cancelled each other out, and overtime was required to find a winner in both games.
Last night, however, as the series shifted to Florida, the Panthers found a way to shift gears as well, delivering a thrashing to the Edmonton Oilers to the tune of 6-1. The Panthers came out with a point to prove and played better on so many levels. They moved the puck well, created so many chances, and played equally well on defense.
| Team | Period 1 | Period 2 | Period 3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Panthers | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| Edmonton Oilers | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Continuing to display the intensity that helped the Panthers pull off a win on the road in Game 2, center Brad Marchand struck once again, this time finding the back of the net for the opening goal of the game inside a minute’s play in the first period.
That goal meant Marchand had scored the last 3 goals for the Panthers, after his 2-goal game in Game 2. More impressively, the 37-year-old also became the oldest player ever to score a goal in the first three games of a Stanley Cup Final, bettering the record of Frank Mahovlich, who was 35 years old.
Florida extended its lead to go up 2-0 on a power play goal from Carter Verhaeghe, which found the top left corner, giving Oilers’ goalie Stuart Skinner no chance of stopping it. The 2-goal advantage was built by Florida’s physical nature of play, winning the battle at the boards, and causing turnovers in the process.
Also Read: Edmonton Oilers Stanley Cup Wins – History of Edmonton Oilers’ Stanley Cup Wins Over the Years
Edmonton was given a brief moment of hope to start the second period as right winger Corey Perry hammered in a goal from close to the net off an assist from Evan Bouchard. However, their moment of hope faded away within moments.
Panthers’ center Sam Reinhart’s goal restored Florida’s 2-goal cushion within no time. Florida continued its relentless pressure and scored a 4th goal courtesy of Sam Bennett’s breakaway. Panthers forced the turnover in their defensive zone as Eetu Luostarinen stole the puck and passed ahead to Bennett, who then performed a forehand, backhand combo and put the puck past Skinner.
Florida’s 4-1 lead at the start of the third period was a reminder of how they blew a similar 3-1 lead in Game 1. However, that was not the case today. The Panthers kept knocking at the door, and Aaron Ekblad one-timed a shot from Reinhart’s pass to put the game beyond any doubt at 5-1.
The icing on the cake moment arrived with Evan Rodrigues’ final goal, capping off a wonderful night for Florida following a one-timed slapshot which snuck past the right side of goalie Calvin Pickard.
The series now heads to an important Game 4 with the Panthers taking a 2-1 lead into Thursday. Today’s win by Florida was a crushing blow for Edmonton, who now need to pull up their socks lest they fall 3-1 behind. The Panthers have everything going for them at the moment, and they would like to keep this momentum in the next game as well before the long trip back to Alberta.
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