As was anticipated after Game 1, games in the Stanley Cup Final series between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers are expected to be tightly contested affairs, often decided in the final minutes or overtime periods. Game 1 concluded in overtime, and Game 2 followed a similar dramatic path.
After Corey Perry tied the game for the Oilers with just 18 seconds remaining, forcing overtime, it took double overtime for Brad Marchand to secure a 5-4 win for the Panthers. This victory evens the series at one game apiece as it shifts to South Florida for Game 3 on Monday.
Following another thrilling overtime contest, let`s evaluate the performance of each team, highlight the standout players, and look ahead to the key questions facing both the Oilers and Panthers before Game 3.
Edmonton Oilers
Grade: B-
The Oilers started strong, scoring three goals in the first period, but struggled to maintain control, allowing two goals in the first frame and two more in the second. Despite these challenges, they managed to score the tying goal late in the third period, forcing consecutive overtime games against the defending Stanley Cup champions.
Game 2 was a rollercoaster, yet the Oilers were still in a position to win before Marchand scored the double overtime winner. For a team skilled at comebacks, Game 2 underscored the critical importance of capitalizing on opportunities.
Edmonton controlled possession in the third period with a 63.6% shot share and generated four high-danger scoring chances. They continued to press in the first overtime, holding a 51.2% shot share and creating five high-danger chances. Leaving for South Florida tied 1-1 is certainly better than trailing 2-0, as they did last year, but given their numerous overtime chances, this felt like a missed opportunity to take a commanding series lead.
Florida Panthers
Grade: B
Against a resilient team like the Oilers, the question arises: how much risk is too much? This was particularly relevant for the Panthers during the first overtime, where they created multiple scoring opportunities. There was a loose puck that slid under Stuart Skinner`s pads which John Klingberg cleared, a rebound Skinner caught in midair, and Sam Reinhart`s breakaway attempt that went wide.
It seemed the Panthers might be left ruing yet another series of missed chances. However, Brad Marchand earned his second breakaway of the night, scoring the game-winning goal and tying the series at 1-1.
Marchand`s goal was more than just an equalizer; it was the difference between the Panthers establishing a sense of control after two games and facing a 2-0 series deficit after allowing late third-period leads in both contests.
Three Stars of Game 2
1. Brad Marchand, RW, Panthers
Beyond his emerging traditions with the Panthers (like team trips to Dairy Queen), Marchand delivered a stellar performance. He scored a short-handed, go-ahead goal in the second period. Notably, this was his second short-handed goal against a Canadian team on June 6th, the first coming against the Vancouver Canucks in 2011. He then capped off his incredible game with the winning goal in double overtime, also on a breakaway.
2. Connor McDavid, C, Oilers
McDavid tallied three assists in the game, including one that would be a career highlight for many NHL players, let alone a postseason best. Yet, for McDavid, plays of this caliber seem to be a regular occurrence.
3. The First Period
What a start to Game 2! The Panthers struck first on the power play with Sam Bennett, only for the Oilers to quickly respond with two goals in less than two minutes from Evander Kane and Evan Bouchard. Seth Jones tied the game again, but within a minute, McDavid produced another moment of “McMagic,” blowing past Aleksander Barkov and faking out Aaron Ekblad before delivering a sublime pass to Leon Draisaitl for a goal. All of this happened in the opening period!
The period also featured 11 penalties, but surprisingly, this didn`t disrupt the flow. If anything, the power plays and 4-on-4 situations added to the excitement.
Players to Watch in Game 3
Evan Bouchard, D, Oilers
Bouchard`s Game 2 performance adds complexity to the Oilers` offseason plans, a topic we`ll touch on shortly. It was his seventh multipoint game and his second three-point performance this postseason. The nuance comes from his ice time and defensive responsibilities. He played 34:29, more than any Oiler except McDavid, demonstrating coach Kris Knoblauch`s trust. However, Bouchard was on ice for three goals against, including both of Marchand`s breakaways, and was assessed two cross-checking penalties.
The outcome of this postseason will influence future conversations. Bouchard is a pending restricted free agent on a bridge deal and is likely due a significant raise from his $4.3 million salary over the past two seasons. How his play unfolds in the remainder of the series could significantly impact those contract negotiations.
Matthew Tkachuk, RW, Panthers
Consider this bizarre fact: Tkachuk didn`t record a shot on goal until late in the third period, and even that shot was eventually credited to another player. This marks the sixth time during these playoffs he hasn`t registered a shot on goal. Perhaps even stranger is that the Panthers have lost only one of those six games where Tkachuk had no shots.
While the Panthers secured the necessary offense to win Game 2, Tkachuk remains central to their strategy if they are to ultimately win this series. Following previous games without a shot, Tkachuk has responded with at least one point in all but one instance (including two consecutive games). While goals are vital, Tkachuk`s contribution goes beyond scoring. He recorded only one of the Panthers` 60 hits in Game 2. More engagement and impact are needed from Florida`s superstar forward.
Big Questions for Game 3
Can the Oilers Find More Early Consistency?
Two games into the series might be sufficient evidence to argue that the Oilers need to start games stronger rather than consistently depending on late-game heroics. Looking at the first period of Game 2, despite giving up two goals, the Oilers found ways to regain control. They had a 55% shot share overall, logged 14 shots, and scored three goals, including Leon Draisaitl`s power-play goal that gave them a 3-2 lead going into the second period.
However, the second period was a stark contrast. The Oilers managed only nine shots, allowed two goals, and spent much of the time without the puck, with a shot share below 30% in the period before rallying late in the third to tie the game and force overtime. They lost by the narrowest of margins, and their performance in the second period potentially cost them a 2-0 series lead.
How Can the Panthers Close Out Games?
In Game 1, the Oilers ended the Panthers` remarkable 31-game winning streak when leading after two periods. This nearly happened again in Game 2 when Perry`s late third-period goal forced overtime, only for Marchand`s goal to ultimately win the game. After allowing three goals in the first period, the Panthers dominated the second with a 70.45% shot share. They generated eight high-danger scoring chances and converted two, taking a 4-3 lead into the third period.
It appeared the Panthers were set to win Game 2 until the Oilers, true to form, came back to tie the game in the final frame once more. Once in overtime, Florida had numerous chances to end the game in both periods before Marchand finally scored the winner.
Given Edmonton`s history, particularly their comeback from a 3-0 deficit last season, the Panthers are well aware of the Oilers` resilience. It`s worth noting that Edmonton entered Game 2 having scored 15 goals in the final five minutes of regulation this postseason and were 4-0 in overtime, reinforcing that no lead is truly safe against them. In a way, the Panthers survived in Game 2 where many other teams this postseason have not. They may not be so fortunate the next time if they don`t learn to close out periods and games more effectively.
Gareth Tenby