Panthers Edge Oilers 5-4 in Double Overtime to Level Stanley Cup Final
Brad Marchand broke free on a breakaway, scoring in double overtime to lead the Florida Panthers to a 5-4 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final on Friday night. This win allowed the defending champions to even the series after a dramatic finish.
Marchand's decisive goal came 8:04 into the second overtime, following a tense final minute of regulation where Corey Perry netted a crucial equalizer with just 17.8 seconds remaining, pulling the Panthers back into contention as Stuart Skinner was pulled for an extra attacker. This marks the first time since 2014 that both opening games of the Stanley Cup Final have gone to overtime, a rarity in NHL history.
Sergei Bobrovsky showcased his elite skills once again, stopping 42 of 46 shots and making several key saves that kept Florida in the game. His performance was complemented by significant offensive contributions from his teammates.
In addition to Marchand's two goals, Sam Bennett added his postseason-leading 13th goal, setting an NHL record with 12 of those coming on the road. Seth Jones capitalized on a wide-open net after a series of impressive tic-tac-toe passes, while Dmitry Kulikov's shot through traffic tied the game, a moment that left Skinner with little chance to react.
Kulikov's goal was part of a dominant stretch for Florida in the second period, where they outshot Edmonton 34-13, consistently pressuring the Oilers and controlling play. Marchand's overtime goal also marked his 10th career goal in the finals, placing him at the top among active players.
As the series shifts to Sunrise for Game 3 on Monday night, the Panthers have regained home-ice advantage after splitting the first two games. They demonstrated resilience following their Game 1 overtime loss, signaling their determination to challenge stars like Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, who are eager to secure their first championship.
Despite Florida's victory, Draisaitl and McDavid made their presence felt, contributing to Evan Bouchard's goal when coach Kris Knoblauch deployed them together. McDavid's dazzling stickhandling through defenders set up Draisaitl for a power-play goal, showcasing their offensive prowess.
The game featured a total of 10 penalties, with officials calling 14 infractions, including three within the first four minutes. Both teams expressed dissatisfaction with certain calls, though the overall officiating seemed to balance out as the game progressed.
