The Panthers even the series with Oilers at 1-1.

In a game that was every bit the emotional and physical battle expected of the Stanley Cup Final, the Florida Panthers stunned the Edmonton Oilers with a 5–4 double-overtime victory in Game 2, evening the series at one game apiece and shifting momentum as the Finals head to South Florida.

Brad Marchand, often the villain in enemy arenas, once again etched his name into Stanley Cup lore. Despite being left on the bench for most of regulation, Marchand stayed ready, warming up on the stationary bike during overtime. That patience paid off when he was subbed in eight minutes into the second extra frame. After a slick feed from Sam Reinhart, Marchand rifled the puck past a screened Stuart Skinner to seal the win for Florida.

The goal was Marchand’s 10th career score in a Stanley Cup Final, making him the active leader in that category.

Florida goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky was, once again, the backbone of the Panthers’ success. He faced 46 shots and made 42 saves, many of them under intense pressure as the Oilers surged late in regulation and dominated stretches of overtime. Bobrovsky’s calm demeanor and timely saves allowed Florida to regroup and eventually find the winner.

The Panthers got strong performances from their defensemen, with both Seth Jones and Dmitry Kulikov finding the back of the net. Florida’s blue line also combined for over 20 blocked shots, frustrating Edmonton’s high-octane offense throughout the evening.

Special teams played a subtler role in Game 2, with Edmonton converting one of their three power plays, while Florida came up empty in two opportunities. However, it was Florida’s even-strength and transition game that proved decisive.

For the Oilers, the night was a painful missed opportunity. Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman all registered points, and Edmonton twice held the lead in regulation. But defensive lapses and inconsistent play in their own zone ultimately opened the door for Florida’s comeback. Stuart Skinner faced criticism postgame for allowing two overtime goals, and the Oilers’ inability to capitalize on Florida’s tired legs in the second OT will be a point of analysis heading into Game 3.

With the series now tied 1–1, the Panthers return home to Sunrise with a surge of confidence. Game 3 is set for Monday night at Amerant Bank Arena, where the Panthers hope to take control of the series in front of their home crowd. The Stanley Cup Final, already delivering edge-of-your-seat action, is shaping into a heavyweight battle. If the first two games are any indication, fans are in for a classic series.