Jun 9, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) celebrates with goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) after the third period in game three of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Bam Adebayo, Udonis Haslem Help Fuel Florida Panthers' Crushing Game 3 Win

Originally posted on Miami Heat on SI | By Jayden Armant | Last updated Jun 10, 2025 10:48 AM ET

The Florida Panthers are looking to defend their title over the Edmonton Oilers in the 2025 Stanley Cup Finals.

And they seemingly have the entire state of Florida on their side in this pursuit. Miami Heat All-Star Bam Adebayo and legend Udonis Haslem were in attendance for Game 3, beating the drum to open Monday night.

Just a couple of Heat captains having fun! Bam Adebayo on the Panthers pre-game drum with UD by his side. They set the tone! pic.twitter.com/0v4D0XIrQj
— Will Manso (@WillManso) June 10, 2025

The Panthers steamrolled to victory with a 6-1 performance, with six different players scoring. Florida is facing the Oilers for the second straight Finals.

“We’re a very deep team,” Panthers winger Brad Marchand said in the postgame interview. “That’s one of our strengths is the depth of the group from the front end to the back end to the goaltending.”

The Heat and Panthers followed very similar storylines during the 2023 postseason as eighth seeds facing adversity. They both defeated Boston in seven games and were gentlemen swept in the Finals.

Since then, however, Florida has made consecutive appearances in the Stanley Cup. It won the title in 2024 and has a strong chance of repeating with a 2-1 lead over Edmonton. Meanwhile, Miami was crushed in the first round of the playoffs both seasons, winning just one game over the Boston Celtics since the 2023 Finals. The organization aims to acquire a superstar or recruit a low-maintenance player to revamp its championship hopes.

Maybe they can use their Florida partners as role models to get back to title contention.