By Adam — SoFlo Sports Buzz
SUNRISE, Fla. — June 10, 2025
Less than a minute into Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, the tone was set. Brad Marchand, one of the NHL’s oldest active forwards, snuck in a quick goal just 54 seconds into the first period. From there, the Florida Panthers poured it on.
By the end of the night, the scoreboard read 6–1, and the Panthers skated off the ice with a 2–1 series lead, having thoroughly dismantled the Edmonton Oilers in their most complete performance of the postseason.
This wasn’t just a blowout — it was a blueprint. From special teams to goaltending, from physicality to execution, Florida outplayed, outworked, and outclassed the Oilers in every zone.
11th Time’s the Charm
Monday’s win marked the 11th time this postseason Florida has scored five or more goals in a game. They did it twice against Tampa Bay, three times versus Toronto, four times against Carolina, and now twice against Edmonton.
The offensive onslaught came from everywhere. Marchand, Verhaeghe, Reinhart, Bennett, Ekblad, and Rodrigues all lit the lamp. Five different players registered multi-point nights.
Special Teams Swing Momentum
After three missed opportunities, the Panthers finally broke through on their fourth power play of the opening period. Verhaeghe’s goal doubled the lead and sent the sellout crowd into a frenzy.
Florida finished the night 3-for-11 on the power play, while their penalty kill went 5-for-6, keeping Edmonton’s stars quiet and forcing them into frustration.
The Oilers unraveled, amassing a staggering 85 penalty minutes, including misconducts, a late-game fight, and a water-bottle squirt incident that will live in South Florida lore.
Bobrovsky Stands Tall Again
While Stuart Skinner was pulled after allowing five goals on 23 shots, Sergei Bobrovsky once again provided calm and confidence in net. He stopped 32 of 33, making timely saves and controlling rebounds.
His performance — paired with disciplined defensive coverage — neutralized Edmonton’s biggest weapons. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl were non-factors. Draisaitl didn’t record a shot until late in the third.
🧠 What It Means
Florida is now 30-1 under Paul Maurice when leading after two periods in the playoffs. Game 3 was a masterclass in how to protect a lead and punish mistakes. The Panthers generated offense from every line, held Edmonton’s elite scorers in check, and never let emotions override execution.
Game 4 is Thursday in Sunrise. A win would put Florida on the brink of back-to-back Stanley Cup championships.
Check out the highlights from the game.