Three takeaways from the Edmonton Oilers Game 2 loss in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final

The Florida Panthers win Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final, 5–4 in double overtime allowing them to even the series with the Edmonton Oilers. This series so far has been everything fans could’ve expected, and more. Two overtime games, and an instant classic in Game 2.

Game 2 was back and fourth was start to finish. Starting with Sam Bennett giving the Panthers the lead. Striking on the power play just 2:07 into the first period. However, Evander Kane quickly gave the Oilers a response, tying the game at one.

So far in the playoffs, the Oilers have been fortunate with their depth scoring. In the Final, the Oilers’ best players all year, have been their best players. In Game 2, Leon Draisaitl finished with two points, Evan Bouchard, and Connor McDavid both finished with three points.

1:40 after Kane’s tying goal, Bouchard scored to give the Oilers the lead. However, the lead was short-lived, as Seth Jones tied it up for the Panthers.

Roll The highlight film for McDavid

Bennett took a goaltender-interference penalty, putting the Oilers on the man-advantage. On the ensuing power play, Connor McDavid did what he does best. He turned into Super Man. McDavid deked out two Panthers, Aaron Ekblad and Aleksander Barkov, who are two players known for their defensive play. McDavid goes around them like it’s nothing, and passes to Draisaitl for the goal.

Oilers fans have become immune to seeing McDavid do things like that, but it never fails to amaze everyone when it happens.

The Oilers took a 3–2 lead into the intermission. If you told me after the first period that the Oilers would go on to lose, I probably wouldn’t have believed you.

In the second period, the Panthers scored twice to take the lead. Including a shorthanded goal by Brad Marchand. Entering this series, the Panthers were 10–0–0 in the 2025 playoffs when leading after two periods.

Another dramatic third period comeback

However, if any team can make a dramatic third period comeback, it’s the Oilers. They’ve proved it multiple times throughout this run. If it wasn’t for their comebacks in Game 3 and 4 against the L.A. Kings, they probably wouldn’t be in this situation.

The 2024–25 Oilers certainly have a flare for the dramatic,40-year-old Veteran Corey Perry fits that description as well. He tied the game at four with 17.8 seconds remaining in the third period to force overtime.

Panthers reminded us they are defending champs

Overtime in the playoffs keeps you on the edge of your seat. Regardless of if you care about the outcome. This was no exception. It was Brad Marchand who emerged as the hero for the Panthers scoring on a breakaway in double overtime going five-hole on Staurt Skinner for the second time in the game.

In Game 2, the Panthers proved why they’re the defending champs. It will be a long series, and both teams still have a lot of work to do.