Panthers Secure 5-4 Double OT Victory Over Oilers in Game 2, Evening Stanley Cup Series 1-1

EDMONTON, Alberta — In a thrilling double overtime matchup on Friday night, Brad Marchand scored on a breakaway to propel the defending champion Florida Panthers past the Edmonton Oilers with a score of 5-4. This victory tied the Stanley Cup Final series at 1-1, following a tense Game 1 that also went into overtime. Marchand netted his second goal of the night 8:04 into the second extra period, while Corey Perry’s late-game goal with just 17.8 seconds left in regulation ensured that Florida would not go down without a fight.

This final series marks a return to the dramatic nature that hockey fans have come to expect, with both teams needing extra play to determine a winner for the first time since 2014. A remarkable performance from Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky was crucial, as he made 42 saves out of 46 shots, demonstrating his ability to rise to the occasion when it matters most. Alongside Marchand, Sam Bennett had an outstanding game, scoring his postseason-leading 13th goal.

Defenseman Seth Jones contributed with a goal of his own after some impressive passing, while Dmitry Kulikov tied the game with a well-placed shot through traffic. The Panthers dominated the second period, outshooting the Oilers with a notable 34-13 advantage in attempts. Game 3 of the series is set for Monday night in Sunrise, Florida, where the Panthers hope to maintain their momentum and further challenge the Oilers’ star players, including Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

Despite their individual brilliance, the Oilers and their coaching staff faced frustration with some of the officiating, as the game featured a total of 14 penalties. With the split in the first two games, the Panthers have regained home-ice advantage in the best-of-seven series.