The Florida Panthers, the reigning Stanley Cup champions, evened the Stanley, with the game being decided by a dramatic double-overtime goal from Brad Marchand. The Panthers’ 5-4 win in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers kept the series tied at 1-1. Marchand, who was traded from the Boston Bruins just minutes before the game, scored two goals, including the game-winning one in the double-overtime frame, which came after a long delay. The game was marked by early scoring, with both teams trading goals in the first 13 minutes, but Edmonton’s offense dried up after a strong start, while Florida kept the pressure on, leading to a memorable victory.
Edmonton started the game off strongly, scoring three goals in the first 12:37 before struggling to find the back of the net. The Oilers, down 4-3, pulled their goaltender, Stuart Skinner, out of the net with 2:33 remaining in regulation, hoping to gain an advantage. The gamble paid off when Corey Perry scored with just 17.8 seconds left in the third period to tie the game at four. After stopping a string of shots, Sergei Bobrovsky was finally able to give up the game-tying goal. With no goals in overtime, the game moved into a second overtime, where the Panthers, led by Marchand, eventually found the winning goal after a long delay.
Throughout the game, the Panthers displayed dominance, led by Marchand, who had a goal in the early going and then provided the game-winning strike in the second overtime. The game featured a high-scoring start, with teams trading goals in the first 13 minutes, but Edmonton’s offense cooled off in the second period, while Florida remained relentless. The Panthers’ efforts to keep the pressure on the Oilers were evident, resulting in a hard-fought and dramatic win that kept the series even at 1-1.