In a game that will be remembered for both its on-ice dominance and off-ice chaos, the Florida Panthers delivered a resounding 6-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final on June 9, 2025. This commanding win gave the Panthers a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, setting the stage for a tense and physical showdown as the teams prepare for Game 4 on Thursday, June 12, in Sunrise, Florida.
The Panthers wasted no time asserting their authority, with Brad Marchand scoring just 56 seconds into the game, continuing his remarkable streak of scoring in each of the first three games of a Stanley Cup Final. At 37 years old, Marchand set a new record as the oldest player to do so, surpassing the previous mark held by Frank Mahovlich in 1973. Marchand’s tally was his fourth goal of the series and his 11th in Stanley Cup Final play, the most among active players.
Florida’s offensive onslaught was further bolstered by Sam Bennett, who added his NHL playoff-leading 14th goal of the postseason. Bennett’s goal was a highlight-reel moment, coming after he bulldozed Edmonton’s Vasily Podkolzin and John Klingberg during a powerful shift before sprinting away on a breakaway to beat Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner. Bennett’s physicality and scoring touch have been instrumental for the Panthers, as he and Marchand combined for eight of Florida’s 13 goals in the series so far.
Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhaeghe also made their mark, each scoring their first goals of this Stanley Cup Final. Verhaeghe’s goal came on the power play, a thunderous shot that found the net under the crossbar, while Reinhart capitalized on a turnover created by Aleksander Barkov’s relentless forechecking to make it 3-1 early in the second period, just 80 seconds after Edmonton’s Corey Perry had cut the deficit with a power-play goal of his own.
The Panthers’ power play was a decisive factor in the game, converting three times on 11 opportunities—a stark contrast to their earlier struggles at home, where they had been clicking at a mere 3.6%. Aaron Ekblad added a power-play goal in the third period, which proved to be the final straw for Edmonton’s starting goalie Stuart Skinner, who was pulled after allowing five goals on 23 shots. Calvin Pickard took over in net, but the damage had been done.
The physicality of the game escalated dramatically as the contest wore on, culminating in a massive brawl at the 9:31 mark of the third period. The melee was sparked by a violent cross-check from Edmonton’s Trent Frederic on Sam Bennett, which quickly drew in nearly all players on the ice. Florida’s Jonah Gadjovich and Edmonton’s Darnell Nurse were central figures in the fight, exchanging heavy blows. The scrum resulted in multiple misconduct penalties, including Frederic and Nurse, who were ejected from the game. A.J. Greer and Sam Bennett also received two-minute minors, as did Frederic and Corey Perry from Edmonton.
The penalty situation was chaotic, with the teams combining for 140 penalty minutes—ranking as the fourth most in Stanley Cup Final history. Edmonton’s undisciplined play was costly, as they took 15 minor penalties, including multiple offensive-zone infractions and a too-many-men penalty. Evander Kane was a particular liability, receiving three minors and a misconduct, totaling 85 penalty minutes for the Oilers. This lack of discipline provided the Panthers with ample power-play opportunities, which they exploited ruthlessly.
Despite the physical punishment, Edmonton’s captain Connor McDavid briefly returned to the ice after a hard hit from Ekblad that sent him tumbling to the ice. McDavid missed less than a minute and resumed play, but the hit symbolized the physical toll the Panthers aimed to impose throughout the series. Ekblad was a standout on defense, delivering five hits through 40 minutes and playing a key role in neutralizing the Oilers’ offensive threats.
Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch characterized the third-period fights as “boys being boys” and “making investments for the next game,” suggesting that the physicality was part of a broader strategy. Yet, he also expressed frustration with the officiating, sarcastically wishing the referees who caught the early penalties had been present during the overtime in Game 2.
On the Panthers’ side, head coach Paul Maurice celebrated a personal milestone, achieving his 1000th career win as a head coach, joining an elite group alongside Scotty Bowman and Joel Quenneville. Maurice’s leadership has been a cornerstone of Florida’s success, and his tactical adjustments during the game, such as deploying the second power-play unit after the first sputtered, paid dividends. This move led to Verhaeghe’s power-play goal early in the game, setting the tone for Florida’s dominance.
Sergei Bobrovsky was another key figure for the Panthers, making 32 saves and earning chants of “Bobby! Bobby!” from an energized home crowd. Bobrovsky’s performance has been stellar throughout the series, with 116 saves through three games, tying him for the second-most saves in NHL history through the first three games of a Stanley Cup Final.
For Edmonton, the night was a harsh reminder of the challenges ahead. Despite the efforts of veterans like Corey Perry, who scored his 10th career Stanley Cup Final goal, the Oilers struggled to find rhythm. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who was a game-time decision after missing practice, played 15:34 but was largely quiet and was even benched from the power play in the second period. The Oilers’ defensive pairings saw adjustments, but the physical and mental pressure from the Panthers proved overwhelming.
Matthew Tkachuk, a Panthers forward, reflected on the game’s intensity during the TNT broadcast, emphasizing the importance of composure. “If you gotta take a punch in the face, a slash in the face, a cross-check, a slash in the leg, whatever the case is, you gotta do it. There’s a bigger picture with the win here for us. We just wanted to protect ourselves, protect our teammates when needed, but at the end of the day, you gotta be smart in a game like this.”
Looking ahead, the series remains far from decided. With the Panthers holding a 2-1 lead, the Oilers will need to regroup and find a way to overcome Florida’s physicality and scoring prowess. Connor McDavid acknowledged this reality, stating, “I don’t think our best has shown up all series long, but it’s coming.” The extra days before Game 4 will be crucial for both teams as they prepare for what promises to be another hard-fought contest in the pursuit of the Stanley Cup.
