Oilers and Panthers embroiled in razor-thin Stanley Cup final ahead of Game 3
Global News
The Panthers host Game 3 on Monday night.
A puck over the glass. A tricky bounce off the glass.
The Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers have played a razor-thin, extra-time opening to their Stanley Cup final rematch.
The teams expect more of the same with the NHL’s title series tied 1-1.
“These games could have gone either way,” Edmonton defenceman Mattias Ekholm said Sunday following practice at Amerant Bank Arena. “It’s just a little, little detail here and there.
“And even though you try to do everything right in your power and your will, something could end up going wrong.”
The Oilers got things started with a 4-3 victory on a power-play goal in overtime from Leon Draisaitl off a slick Connor McDavid setup after the Panthers were whistled for delay of game.
Florida responded two nights later when Brad Marchand took advantage of a funny hop in the defensive zone before receiving a breakaway pass to seal a 5-4 double OT triumph.
Playing in his fourth Cup final after winning in 2011 with the Boston Bruins and losing in both 2013 and 2019, Marchand said there’s zero room for error through 8 1/2 periods of hockey.
