Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch wasn’t holding back on Monday after watching his team get dominated 6–1 by the Florida Panthers in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. Knoblauch called the officiating a major issue, arguing it swung the game and allowed tempers to boil over, including a near-line brawl in the third period.
“I think the game got out of hand,” Knoblauch said post-game. “I don’t think we would’ve acted or played like that had the game been a one-goal or two-goal game. I think our guys were just trying, I don’t know—boys being boys, just trying to make investments for the next game.” 
Game 3 resulted in a combined 140 penalty minutes, including 85 minutes by the Oilers alone. Edmonton tallied a franchise‑high 21 infractions, eclipsing early playoff totals, while Florida added 14 penalties. Knoblauch praised the referees for catching the “too many men” bench penalty early, but argued that consistency was lacking compared to Game 2’s overtime.
From @EdmontonOilers Kris Knoblauch “Definitely the 3rd period was an unraveling. It wouldnt have happened if it was a one-two goal game. It was boys being boys.”
— Gene Principe (@GenePrincipe) June 10, 2025
The turning point came in the first period when a line brawl erupted after Trent Frederic and Sam Bennett squared off, resulting in ejections and inflaming emotions early. Evander Kane paid the price with 16 penalty minutes, more than in his previous 17 playoff games combined, saying, “They seem to get away with it more than we do.” 
The Panthers were FIRED UP in the box after the line brawl 🤝 pic.twitter.com/nNVp7i2RnT
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 10, 2025
Panthers Pounced On Every Opportunity To Tame Oilers
Florida capitalized on special teams, scoring three power-play goals. Stuart Skinner took the loss, allowing five goals on 23 shots before coach Knoblauch pulled him in the third. Skinner also received a delay-of-game penalty after sending the puck over the glass.
At the same time, Bobrovsky kept calm in net for Florida, logging 32 saves and drawing cheers from the crowd. Sam Bennett extended his postseason scoring with another goal in Game 3, continuing his strong playoff performance. Sergei Bobrovsky was steady between the pipes, stopping 32 shots and ensuring Edmonton never got back into it.
Knoblauch admitted that the physicality caught fire once the game got away from them. “We’re a big, physical team. We have some skilled guys, and I don’t see our skilled guys getting distracted and getting into that. The guys who like it are getting into it,” he said.
“I don’t want to see our skilled guys getting distracted and get into that. The guys that like it are getting into it.”
Kris Knoblauch on the chippiness of Game 3 pic.twitter.com/YXDKz4k1oz
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 10, 2025
Despite frustrations, Edmonton captain Connor McDavid refused to blame the officiating.
“Not our best at all,” McDavid said after the game. “I don’t think our best has shown up all series long but it’s coming. Shift the focus to finding a way to get a win in Game 4.” 
The loss means Florida holds a 2–1 series lead and heads home for Game 4 on Thursday. Knoblauch has not confirmed who will start in the net but defended Skinner, adding the Oilers keeper “didn’t have much chance on many of those goals”.
Both teams have now set the stage for a high-stakes return to Sunrise. If the officiating remains erratic, expect it to stay in the spotlight. However, with the series finely balanced, the Oilers know they must clean up their penalties and discipline if they want a real shot in Game 4.