Stanley Cup Final Game 3 takeaways: Panthers two wins away from back-to-back titles

Later in the period, Marchand taunted the Oilers, suggesting they "use their heads" after the Panthers converted a power play following the fourth Edmonton penalty of the period.

On Sunday, ESPN senior NHL writer Greg Wyshynski wrote about Marchand's pending free agency, and the 37-year-old forward said, "I've thought about it. But we'll deal with that in the future."

Marchand and the Panthers could be two games away from needing to address their future. Considering the success he's already had, Florida would be making a huge mistake letting him walk.

Tensions boil over

It was only a matter of time before the Oilers and Panthers dropped their sticks and settled things with their fists. We just didn't expect the Stanley Cup Final's first fight to turn into a free-for-all.

During the third period with the game out of reach, frustration got to the Oilers. Considering this is the second consecutive meeting between the two teams in the Stanley Cup Final, it's no surprise that tensions boiled over. We'd be more surprised if Monday turns out to be the last time the gloves come off.

Sam Bennett's sequence illustrates what makes Panthers so dangerous

Arguably, no play better exemplifies what's made Florida the NHL's best team than Bennett's second-period goal, which gave the Panthers a 4-1 advantage.

The sequence began when Bennett laid out Oilers forward Vasily Podkolzin with a vicious, legal hit, jarring the puck loose.

Moments later, forward Eetu Luostarinen got the puck off a deflection and passed it ahead to Bennett, who scored the breakaway goal, his NHL-leading 14th goal this postseason.

The Panthers are the league's most aggressive team, leading the league in hits this season. They also have wings capable of taking advantage of their scoring opportunities.

Florida is a force. The Oilers found out just how much on Monday.