Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand scored a crucial breakaway goal in double overtime during Game 2 of the Stanley Cup finals against the Edmonton Oilers on Friday, evening the series. The game was deadlocked at 4-4 after the initial 20 minutes of sudden death play.
Panthers’ standout Sam Bennett opened the scoring with a power-play goal early in the game at Rogers Place in Edmonton, amidst a chaotic first period. However, Evander Kane swiftly responded for the Oilers, leveling the score. Subsequently, defenseman Evan Bouchard netted a long wrist shot, giving Edmonton a brief lead before Panthers’ Seth Jones equalized the game at 2-2.
A tense moment occurred when Bennett collided with Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner, resulting in a goaltender interference penalty. Despite the scare, Skinner remained in the game, and the Oilers capitalized on the power play as Connor McDavid assisted Leon Draisaitl, continuing their lead.
The first period saw a flurry of penalties, with the Oilers dominating shots on goal. The Panthers bounced back in the second period, with defenseman Dmitry Kulikov scoring to tie the game again. Marchand then took advantage of an Oilers’ power play mishap, scoring a shorthanded goal to put the Panthers ahead 4-3.
Both teams showcased strong performances in the subsequent periods, leading to a thrilling overtime showdown. Eventually, after a second overtime period, Marchand secured the win with his second goal of the night, sealing the victory for the Panthers.
Following the game, Marchand credited his teammates for the winning play, emphasizing the teamwork that led to his goal. The Oilers, aiming to extend their series lead after a previous overtime victory, now head into Game 3 with a renewed focus.
Reflecting on the closely contested games, Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch acknowledged the intensity of the series, noting the unpredictability of the outcomes. With Game 3 scheduled in Florida, both teams are gearing up for another challenging matchup.
