Marchand’s Brilliance Sends Panthers Over The Top
If you thought the Stanley Cup Final couldn't squeeze out more drama, think again. Florida fans had their hearts in their throats as Brad Marchand delivered two clutch goals for the Panthers, sealing a wild 5-4 victory over Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers in double-overtime. The buzz at Amerant Bank Arena came to a roar deep into the second overtime, when Marchand's precise shot—his second of the night—found daylight past Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner. The crowd’s eruption was heard all the way down Las Olas Boulevard.
This is the first time in a while both opening games of the Finals have gone into overtime—a rare feat, just the sixth such occurrence in NHL history. It’s a sign of how tight and unpredictable this showdown has become. Just a few minutes earlier, the Oilers had all the momentum. With just 17.8 seconds left in regulation, veteran Corey Perry jammed home a rebound in the crease, wiping away what looked like a sure Panthers victory and sending the game to extra time.
The rollercoaster kept rolling in overtime. Both teams traded chances, each goalie facing everything thrown their way. Sergei Bobrovsky once again proved why he’s anchored the Panthers all postseason. During the two overtimes, Bobrovsky faced relentless pressure—42 shots in total—and kept his poise as danger lurked from every line, especially as tired legs started making mistakes. None was bigger than his sprawling pad save on Leon Draisaitl with bodies crashing into the net late in the first overtime. Those moments kept Florida alive long enough for Marchand to snatch the spotlight.
High-Stakes Hockey Arrives In South Florida
Pace wasn’t the only thing sizzling—it was a shot-for-shot duel. Edmonton’s Stuart Skinner was nearly as good, turning aside 37 Panthers bids and giving his squad the breathing room they needed to hang around. Each star had their moment: besides Marchand’s heroics, Aleksander Barkov dished two assists, and Oilers captain Connor McDavid set up Edmonton’s third-period push, refusing to let the Panthers get comfortable.
This Game 2 win means the series now heads back to sweltering South Florida tied 1-1. Suddenly, the Cup Finals are wide open. The Panthers and Oilers have barely separated themselves on the ice—each wringing every bit of energy, every puck battle, from aging veterans and playoff newbies alike. This game, clocking in at over 94 minutes, was less about style and more about survival. Florida, pushed to the brink time and again, found just enough heroics to pull it off, flipping momentum their way before home-ice crowds.
Looking ahead, the question is who has more left in the tank. Both teams are taking a beating, both goaltenders have been magnificent, and both sets of fans have reasons to believe this thing is going the distance. If the first two games are any marker, nobody’s getting a smooth ride to the finish line. Game 3 looms large as the biggest yet for two squads gunning for the one trophy that keeps eluding them.
