The Florida Panthers seized control of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final in convincing fashion, dominating the Edmonton Oilers by a 6-1 final score at the sold-out Amerant Bank Arena. In doing so, they took a 2-1 series lead over the Oilers in the second consecutive Florida-Edmonton series in the Cup Final. Monday’s clash was also marked by multiple physical bouts between the two clubs in the third period as tempers flared.
Panthers Show Appreciation to Their Fans and One Another
It a sell-out crowd packed by Panthers fans at Amerant Bank Arena, and Matthew Tkachuk was sure to give them their due. “We just wanted to protect home ice and play well in front of our fans,” Tkachuk said. “It feels like we’ve been on the road all playoffs, which we have. It’s nice to come back here and play well in front of our fans because they deserve it.”
The fans were on their feet early as Brad Marchand found the back of the net just 56 seconds after the opening puck drop, giving the Panthers the 1-0 lead. Goals from Carter Verhaeghe, Sam Reinhart, and Sam Bennett would give Florida a total of four goals by the end of the second period. Marchand, who collected his fourth goal in the last three games, spoke glowingly about Bennett and the effect he has on the team as a whole.
“He’s been an animal these whole playoffs,” Marchand said. “He’s built for this time of year with just how competitive he is and how intense. You see the physicality piece, too. That shift was a perfect example of his game. He blows two guys up and then somehow leads the rush after that and scores a beautiful goal. He can do it all.” On Monday, multiple scraps broke out in the final 20 minutes, including one involving forward Jonah Gadjovich.
Marchand gave the forward and the team’s fourth line props and said, “They don’t get the love all the time that they deserve. An incredible guy, and that whole line. Gadjy did an incredible job sticking up for the guys there and taking on Nurse, who’s obviously a tough guy as well. Their entire game, they carry so much emotion and give us so much energy and a lot of really good momentum swings in our favor.”
Game 4 between the Panthers and Oilers is scheduled for Thursday evening. The puck drops at 8:00 p.m. ET.