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Don Cherry's Pick for Stanley Cup Final Game 3: 'They Will Come Out Smoking'

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jun 9, 2025 8:26 AM ET

The Stanley Cup Final is tied 1–1 after the Florida Panthers responded to a Game 1 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers with a double-OT win in Game 2, capped by Brad Marchand’s breakaway goal.

With the series now in Florida for Games 3 and 4, the stakes will get higher each passing game, but legendary NHL coach Don Cherry is standing by his Stanley Cup pick—even while going the other way for Monday's matchup.

“I think Florida will come out just smoking, just smoking,” Cherry said on Episode 311 of "The Don Cherry's Grapevine Podcast," where he joined his son Tim to discuss the series.

Despite picking the Panthers to take Game 3, Cherry made it clear he hasn’t changed his overall view of the series. “Well, I’m picking Edmonton,” he said.

Tim Cherry, however, disagreed with his father’s Game 3 call while repeating his words but changing his team of preference.

“I think Edmonton will come out smoking,” Tim said. “We’ll see.”

Don left the door a bit open for the outcome, saying, “You never know, though.”

Cherry's long-standing belief in the Oilers to win the Cup after losing last year's finals against the same Panthers team hasn’t wavered.

A week ago, he picked Edmonton to win the Cup, and despite the Panthers tying the series in Game 2, bouncing back from their Game 1 loss, he’s sticking with that prediction—even if he expects Florida to grab the momentum tonight.

Game 3 is set for puck drop at 8 p.m., with both teams trying to take the lead as Florida aims at retaining home-ice advantage after taking it from Edmonton in Game 2.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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