In a thrilling rematch of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, the Florida Panthers showcased their resilience and skill by edging out the Edmonton Oilers 5-4 in double overtime on Friday night, June 6, 2025, at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta. This victory evened the best-of-seven series at one game apiece and set the stage for an electrifying Game 3 in Sunrise, Florida, on Monday, June 9.
The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, featuring multiple lead changes, outstanding individual performances, and high stakes drama. Brad Marchand emerged as the hero for the Panthers, scoring twice in the contest, including the game-winning goal 8:04 into the second overtime period. Notably, both of Marchand's goals were breakaways orchestrated by Anton Lundell, underscoring the Panthers' offensive precision and opportunistic play.
Marchand's overtime winner marked his 10th career goal in the Stanley Cup Final, the most among active NHL players, further cementing his legacy as a clutch performer. This goal was also his seventh of the 2025 playoffs, showcasing his consistency at the highest level of competition. Marchand’s short-handed goal earlier in the third period gave Florida a 4-3 lead, a pivotal moment that highlighted his ability to strike in critical situations. Intriguingly, this short-handed goal came exactly 14 years after his last one in the Stanley Cup Final, a testament to his enduring talent and longevity.
Corey Perry, the 40-year-old veteran for Edmonton, nearly stole the spotlight with a dramatic late-game equalizer. His goal with just 17.8 seconds remaining in regulation forced overtime, setting a new record for the latest game-tying goal in Stanley Cup Final history, surpassing the previous mark set in 1928. Perry's perspective on the game was humble and reflective: "We made some great plays, and they capitalized on some plays where we could have been there. That's hockey. One mistake, and it gets magnified, and it did tonight," he said.
Florida’s goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky was instrumental in the Panthers' victory, making 42 saves on 46 shots. His stellar performance was critical, especially in the high-pressure moments of overtime. With this win, Bobrovsky earned his 58th career playoff victory, surpassing Tuukka Rask for 18th place on the NHL’s all-time wins list and ranking fourth among goaltenders born outside North America. Through the first two games of the Final, Bobrovsky boasts a .913 save percentage and a 3.30 goals-against average, outperforming Edmonton’s Stuart Skinner, who has an .892 save percentage and 3.35 goals-against average.
Offensively, the Panthers were well-supported beyond Marchand’s heroics. Sam Bennett scored his postseason-leading 13th goal, which was also an NHL record 12th goal on the road during this playoff run. Bennett’s power-play goal came just 127 seconds into Game 2, setting the tone early. Defensemen Seth Jones and Dmitry Kulikov also contributed crucial goals. Jones scored into a wide-open net following a dazzling sequence of tic-tac-toe passing, while Kulikov’s shot through traffic tied the game at 3-3 in the second period, a goal that caught Skinner off guard.
Florida’s dominance was particularly evident in the second period, where they controlled the pace and pressure, outshooting Edmonton 34-13 in shot attempts. This relentless offensive pressure forced Edmonton into a defensive posture, with the Panthers hemming the Oilers in their zone repeatedly.
Edmonton's stars Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid had their moments as well. The duo combined on a power-play goal, with McDavid’s mesmerizing stickhandling setting up Draisaitl’s score. Coach Kris Knoblauch's decision to ice Draisaitl and McDavid together paid dividends, as Evan Bouchard also found the net, moving into second place among defensemen on the Oilers' franchise postseason scoring list. Bouchard's 20th postseason goal in just 71 games places him among elite company, matching Colorado Avalanche’s Cale Makar as the fastest active defenseman to reach that milestone.
The game was physical and penalty-heavy, with officials calling 14 penalties resulting in 10 power plays. Both teams had their share of contentious calls, but the officiating balanced out over the course of the game. The intensity of the rivalry was palpable, with hard hits and scrums reflecting the high stakes of the Stanley Cup Final.
Florida’s head coach Paul Maurice praised his team’s resilience and focus after the win. Maurice, who earned his 83rd career playoff victory and is one win shy of 1,000 combined regular season and playoff wins, noted, "You just go through the next day and know how to handle it. We've done a pretty good job responding and getting focused on the next game." Matthew Tkachuk also lauded Marchand’s hockey IQ, stating, "His hockey sense is unbelievable. I thought he could play until he's 47. I saw him in Boston, but I’m glad he’s on our team now." Marchand himself expressed joy at the win, especially in front of his family: "These are memories you have for the rest of your life, not just for yourself but for your family. I loved our resilience. I really liked our game tonight."
The Panthers' victory also broke a franchise record for most road wins in a single postseason, with their ninth road win surpassing last year’s Stanley Cup-winning team. This achievement ties them with the 2022 Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche and places them just one win shy of the six-way record holders.
As the series moves to Florida for Game 3, the Panthers have wrested home-ice advantage away from the Oilers by splitting the first two games. The series promises to be a captivating battle as both teams seek to hoist the Stanley Cup for the first time in recent memory. With the series tied and the intensity ramping up, fans can expect more high-octane hockey and dramatic moments in the coming games.
The 2025 Stanley Cup Final continues to captivate hockey fans worldwide, with every game delivering edge-of-your-seat action. The Panthers and Oilers are proving why this matchup is among the most compelling in recent NHL history, blending skill, grit, and heart on hockey's biggest stage.
