The Florida Panthers delivered a stunning performance against the Edmonton Oilers, winning 6-1 on Monday night. This decisive victory not only showcased their dominance but also granted them a 2-1 lead in the Stanley Cup Final, with Game 4 scheduled for Thursday in Sunrise.
From the outset, Florida established their offensive prowess. Just 56 seconds into the game, Brad Marchand scored, marking the fastest goal by a Panther in Stanley Cup Final history. This early strike set the tone for a relentless assault on the Oilers' defense at Amerant Bank Arena.
The Panthers demonstrated their depth with contributions from multiple players: Marchand, Carter Verhaeghe, Sam Reinhart, Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad, and Evan Rodrigues all found the back of the net. Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky was instrumental in the victory, making 31 saves on 32 shots and effectively neutralizing Edmonton's attack.
Edmonton managed to respond briefly in the second period when Corey Perry scored on a power play, narrowing Florida's lead to 2-1. However, the Panthers quickly regained control, scoring four consecutive goals that forced the Oilers to replace goaltender Stuart Skinner after he allowed five goals on just 23 shots.
As tensions escalated in the third period, a cross-check by Trent Frederic of Edmonton on Bennett ignited a brawl. The altercation featured notable players like Jonah Gadjovich from Florida and Darnell Nurse from Edmonton, resulting in six ejections. Evander Kane was later penalized for slashing Verhaeghe while he was down on the ice.
Marchand's goal was significant; it marked his eighth of the playoffs and fourth in this series. At 37 years old, he became the oldest player in NHL history to score in each of the first three games of a Stanley Cup Final, surpassing a record held for 52 years by Frank Mahovlich.
Florida's offensive onslaught included two power-play goals in the third period—one from Ekblad and another from Rodrigues—further solidifying their commanding lead and bringing them within two victories of their first championship title.
