The Florida Panthers will fly back to Sunrise on Saturday morning with an even series and home-ice advantage.
The Panthers withstood a breathtaking first period and stunning Oilers goal in the last minute of regulation to defeat Edmonton 5-4 in double overtime of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final on Friday night at Rogers Place.
Brad Marchand, who scored a short-handed goal midway through the second period to give the Panthers a 4-3 lead, broke away and beat Oilers goalkeeper Stuart Skinner for the sudden-death goal.
The Panthers will host the Oilers in Game 3 on Monday at 8 p.m. ET.
Sam Bennett, Evander Kane score in early barrage
An explosive opening period saw its first goal scored inside two minutes as Sam Bennett converted an early power-play opportunity.
Evander Kane equalized five minutes later after skating through the middle of the ice unmarked with a pass from Connor McDavid.
Penalties piled up on both sides and significant portions of the period were played in power play or four-on-four conditions. An Oilers power play gave Edmonton its first lead as Connor Bouchard converted following a Bennett penalty for goalie interference.
The lead once again did not last long as the Panthers’ attack swarmed Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner, allowing a centering pass to find Seth Jones unmarked on the far post for a wide open equalizing goal.
Connor McDavid created magic for the Oilers’ third goal, carving through the Panthers defense with marvelous stick work to set up Leon Draisaitl for the third Oilers goal.
Panthers grab lead in second period
Rogers Place rumbled with energy after the chaotic first period but the Panthers weathered the deficit and managed to keep the ice to five-on-five play, a factor which turned momentum in their favor.
Dmitry Kulikov and Brad Marchand each scored within a three-minute span, the latter on a short-handed opportunity, midway through the period to give Florida a 4-3 advantage.
Over a 14-minute sequence of the second period, the Panthers outshot the Oilers 10-1 in largely five-on-five situations.
Corey Perry’s late tying goal stuns Panthers
Sergei Bobrovsky and the Panthers kept a seal on the Oilers’ attack and power play throughout the third period with multiple highlight saves.
The Oilers pulled goalie Stuart Skinner with just over two minutes remaining and finally found their opportunity to pounce on the Panthers, who iced the puck and then lost control out of a face off with seconds remaining in regulation.
Edmonton’s Corey Perry latched onto the opportunity and converted past Bobrovsky’s stick side to send Rogers Place into pandemonium.
2025 Stanley Cup Final schedule
Game 1: Edmonton 4, Florida 3 (OT) [Edmonton leads series, 1-0]
Game 2: Florida 5, Edmonton 4 (2OT) [Series tied, 1-1]
Game 3: June 9 in Sunrise, 8 p.m. ET
Game 4: June 12 in Sunrise, 8 p.m. ET
*Game 5: June 14 in Edmonton, 8 p.m. ET
*Game 6: June 17 in Sunrise, 8 p.m. ET
*Game 7: June 20 in Edmonton, 8 p.m. ET
*if necessary
Where: Amerant Bank Arena
Time: 8 p.m., Monday
TV: TNT/truTV.
Stream: HBO Max and Sling TV
Eric J. Wallace is deputy sports editor for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at [email protected].
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