Panthers Defeat Oilers 5-4 in Double Overtime Thriller in Game 2 of Stanley Cup Final

After a thrilling Game 1 overtime, the Edmonton Oilers hosted the Florida Panthers in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final on Friday, June 6, with Edmonton having a 1-0 series lead. Just like Game 1, this one also required extra time. This time, the Panthers defeated the Oilers in a 5-4 double overtime thriller to tie the series at one. Here’s your game recap from this wild and high-scoring affair.

Game Recap

The Panthers opened the scoring 2:07 into the opening period on the power play. Sam Bennett sneakily knocked Mattias Ekholm’s dropped stick out of the way, undetected by the officials. Then, the Panthers forward received a centring pass from Nate Schmidt, who buried it past goaltender Stuart Skinner for his 13th goal of the postseason and third of the series.

The Oilers responded 7:38 into the period to tie the game at one. Evander Kane entered the zone with speed and ripped a shot post and in, past Sergei Bobrovsky’s glove. Then, Evan Bouchard gave Edmonton the lead at the 9:19 mark. His initial shot was blocked, but he got his rebound and buried it blocker side.

Florida tied the game a few minutes later. Schmidt passed to Eetu Luostarinen, and his cross-seam pass found Seth Jones, who one-timed the puck into the gaping cage.

Edmonton immediately regained the lead on the power play. Connor McDavid dangled around the defenders and found Leon Draisaitl for the one-timer, and he made no mistake. That wild first period concluded with the Oilers having a 3-2 lead with a 14-11 shot advantage.

The Panthers tied the game 8:23 into the second period. Dmitry Kulikov’s point shot banked in off Bouchard and past Skinner through traffic. Then Brad Marchand added a shorthanded marker. He was sprung on a breakaway and went five-hole, past the Oilers’ netminder. Florida dominated the middle frame and took a 4-3 lead into the intermission with a 14-8 shot advantage in the period and 25-22 overall.