Panthers Pounce! Double OT Win Ties Stanley Cup Final!

Florida Panthers Claw Back, Level Stanley Cup Final in Double Overtime Thriller

The Stanley Cup Final continues to deliver edge-of-your-seat excitement! In a nail-biting Game 2 that stretched into double overtime, the Florida Panthers emerged victorious, defeating the Edmonton Oilers 5-4 and evening the series at 1-1. Rogers Place in Edmonton witnessed a game of dramatic shifts, heroic performances, and ultimately, a Panther triumph.

Just when it seemed the Oilers were poised to take a commanding 2-0 lead, Brad Marchand stepped up for Florida, scoring the game-winning goal just over eight minutes into the second overtime period. His breakaway goal past Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner sent the Panthers bench into a frenzy and silenced the roaring Edmonton crowd.

Brad Marchand celebrates his double-overtime winner. (Image: Getty Images - Placeholder)

However, the journey to overtime was a story in itself. The Oilers found an unlikely hero in veteran Corey Perry. With a mere 17.8 seconds left in the third period, Perry scored, tying the game and etching his name in Stanley Cup Final history. This remarkable goal marked the latest tying goal ever scored in a Cup Final, surpassing the previous record held by Tod Sloan in Game 5 of the 1951 Final.

Key highlights from this unforgettable Game 2 include:

• Brad Marchand's game-winning goal in double overtime.
• Corey Perry's historic late-game tying goal for the Oilers.
• A frenetic first period with a total of five goals scored.
• Outstanding goaltending from Florida's Sergei Bobrovsky, who stopped 42 of 46 shots.
• The series marking the first time since 2014, and only the sixth time in NHL history, that the first two games have gone to overtime.

The game began with a bang, as Panthers forward Sam Bennett opened the scoring just two minutes into the first period. This was Bennett's postseason-leading 13th goal and a remarkable NHL-record 12th on the road. Edmonton quickly responded with goals from Evander Kane and Evan Bouchard, seizing the lead. The Panthers, however, refused to back down. Seth Jones tied the game, only to be followed by a power-play goal from Oilers star Leon Draisaitl, giving Edmonton a 3-2 lead at the end of the electrifying first period.

The second period saw the Panthers claw their way back. Dmitry Kulikov tied the game once again, and Marchand added a shorthanded goal, giving Florida a 4-3 lead that they held until Perry's late-game heroics.

After the game, Marchand spoke emotionally about his mother, who was in attendance. He acknowledged the immense sacrifices parents make for their children's hockey careers. "Like all of our parents, I don’t think there’s a player in this league that can say that their parents are not the main reason why they are here," Marchand stated. "The sacrifices they all make...it’s not just for you, it’s for everybody that helped you get here and all your loved ones."

Sergei Bobrovsky's performance in goal cannot be overlooked. He was instrumental in keeping the Panthers in the game, particularly during the Oilers' surges. His 42 saves were a testament to his skill and experience.

The series now shifts to Sunrise, Florida, where the Panthers will host Game 3 on Monday. With the series tied and both teams displaying incredible resilience, the remaining games promise to be a captivating battle for the Stanley Cup. Will the Panthers capitalize on home-ice advantage? Or will the Oilers regain the lead and silence the Florida faithful? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: this Stanley Cup Final is delivering a spectacle worthy of hockey's greatest prize.

This Stanley Cup final has been nothing short of amazing, with twists and turns that have kept fans on the edge of their seats. As we move to Florida, one can only anticipate the exciting outcomes that await us. The determination and grit displayed by both sides is a true reflection of why hockey is one of the most loved and celebrated sports.

Tags: Stanley Cup, Florida Panthers, Edmonton Oilers, Brad Marchand, Corey Perry, NHL, Game 2, Overtime, Ice Hockey, Sports

Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/07/sport/panthers-oilers-game-2-stanley-cup-final-spt