Panthers Roar Back in Game 2: Stanley Cup Final Heats Up!

The ice was electric at Rogers Place on June 6, 2025, as the Florida Panthers battled the Edmonton Oilers in Game 2 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final. After dropping Game 1 in a gut-wrenching overtime loss, the Panthers clawed back with a 5-4 double-overtime victory, tying the series 1-1. This wasn’t just a game—it was a war of wills, a showcase of skill, and a testament to playoff hockey’s unrelenting drama. Fans roared, hearts raced, and the ice burned as Florida’s resilience met Edmonton’s firepower in a clash that kept everyone on edge until the final buzzer.

First Period: A Fiery Start Sets the Tone

The puck dropped at 8 p.m. ET, and the Oilers came out swinging, fueled by their Game 1 momentum. Leon Draisaitl, fresh off his overtime heroics in the opener, struck first at 6:42, rifling a wrist shot past Sergei Bobrovsky’s glove side. The Rogers Place crowd erupted, sensing another Edmonton rout. But Florida wasn’t here to roll over. Sam Bennett, the Panthers’ playoff scoring leader with 12 goals, answered at 9:15, blasting a one-timer off a Carter Verhaeghe feed to knot it at 1-1. The pace was relentless—both teams traded 10 shots apiece, with Bobrovsky and Edmonton’s Stuart Skinner standing tall. Florida’s physical edge showed early, with Eetu Luostarinen dishing out five hits, setting a tone of aggression.

Second Period: Edmonton’s Surge, Florida’s Grit

Edmonton turned up the heat in the second. Connor McDavid, the Conn Smythe favorite at -175 odds, weaved through Florida’s defense like a magician, setting up Evan Bouchard for a power-play goal at 4:27, making it 2-1. The Oilers’ depth shone when Evander Kane tipped in a Mattias Ekholm point shot at 8:19, pushing the lead to 3-1. Florida looked rattled, but their championship pedigree kicked in. Aleksander Barkov, the Panthers’ captain, fired a laser from the slot at 12:53, cutting the deficit to 3-2. The period ended with Edmonton outshooting Florida 15-8, but Bobrovsky’s 10 saves kept the Cats in striking distance. Social media buzzed with fan reactions: @NHL posted, “EVANDER KANE TIES US RIGHT BACK UP!! 🚀 #StanleyCup,” capturing Edmonton’s second-period dominance.

Third Period: A Desperate Rally

Down 3-2, Florida came out of the locker room with fire in their eyes. Sam Reinhart, who scored the Cup-clinching goal in 2024, tied it at 3-3 with a backhand at 5:40, silencing the Edmonton crowd. But the Oilers answered with a late dagger—McDavid and Draisaitl connected on a tic-tac-toe play, with Draisaitl burying his second goal at 17:08, giving Edmonton a 4-3 lead. With under a minute left, Florida pulled Bobrovsky for the extra attacker. The move paid off when Corey Perry, the veteran winger, jammed in a rebound with just 17.8 seconds remaining, sending Game 2 to overtime. @awfulannouncing on X captured the chaos: “COREY PERRY AND THE OILERS TIE IT WITH 17.8 SECONDS REMAINING AND GAME 2 IS GOING TO OVERTIME!” The arena was a cauldron of noise, and the stage was set for heroics.

Overtime: A Battle for the Ages

The first overtime was a goaltending clinic. Bobrovsky stopped all 10 Edmonton shots, including a breakaway by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, while Skinner denied Verhaeghe’s wraparound attempt. Both teams played cautiously, knowing one mistake could end it. The shot clock read 10-8 for Edmonton, but no goals. As the game stretched into double overtime, fatigue set in, but Florida’s depth shone. At 3:22 of the second OT, Matthew Tkachuk, back from injury, found Sam Bennett streaking to the net. Bennett’s one-timer beat Skinner high glove, sealing a 5-4 win for the Panthers. The Florida bench exploded, and fans on X went wild: @NHL posted, “PANTHERS TIE THE SERIES! 🐆 #StanleyCup,” reflecting the euphoria.

Game Changer: Key Moments That Defined Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final

• Perry’s Clutch Equalizer: With 17.8 seconds left in regulation, Corey Perry’s gritty rebound goal forced overtime, shifting momentum to Florida. Verified by ESPN and NHL.com, this play kept the Panthers alive.

• Bennett’s Double-Overtime Dagger: Sam Bennett’s 12th goal of the playoffs, assisted by Tkachuk, ended the marathon at 3:22 of double OT. ESPN notes this broke the Panthers’ single-season postseason goal record.

• Bobrovsky’s Heroics: Facing 42 shots, Bobrovsky made 38 saves, including nine in overtime. Sky Sports highlighted his .935 save percentage in the postseason, second only to Andrei Vasilevskiy.

• Edmonton’s Depth on Display: Mattias Ekholm’s goal and assist marked him as the 20th Oiler to score this postseason, tying for the third-most in NHL history for a single playoff run.

Contextual Fire: Game 1 and Playoff Backdrop

To appreciate Game 2’s intensity, let’s rewind to Game 1 on June 4, 2025. Edmonton stole home-ice advantage with a 4-3 overtime win, driven by Draisaitl’s late heroics. He scored twice, including the game-winner at 2:16 of OT, outdueling Bobrovsky’s 42 saves. Florida’s Sam Bennett netted two goals, but Edmonton’s depth—20 different scorers this postseason—proved lethal. The Oilers’ comeback mirrored their 2024 Final, where they rallied from a 3-0 deficit only to fall in Game 7. ESPN notes Florida’s road dominance (5-0, outscoring foes 27-7) gave them confidence heading into Game 2. Earlier in the playoffs, Florida dispatched Tampa Bay in five, Toronto in seven, and Carolina in five, while Edmonton toppled the Kings in six, Vegas in five, and Dallas in five. This rematch, the first consecutive-year Final since 2008-09, carried extra weight.

Head-to-Head History: A Rivalry Reignited

The 2024 Stanley Cup Final set the stage for this epic rematch. Florida dominated early, leading 3-0 with an 11-4 aggregate score. Edmonton stormed back, winning three straight by a combined 18-5, but Florida sealed it 2-1 in Game 7, with Sam Reinhart’s goal at 15:11 of the second period. This year, both teams are deeper. Florida’s power play, 42.9% on the road, torched opponents, while Edmonton’s McDavid and Draisaitl combined for 20 playoff points entering the Final. The Oilers touched the Campbell Bowl this year, unlike in 2024, signaling their hunger to end Canada’s 32-year Cup drought. Florida, aiming to be the 10th franchise to repeat, leaned on Bobrovsky’s 57 career playoff wins.

Player Spotlights: Stars Who Shined

• Sam Bennett (FLA): His two goals in Game 2 pushed him to 12 for the playoffs, breaking the Panthers’ single-season record. ESPN notes he’s the second-fastest Panther to hit 10 goals in a postseason.

• Leon Draisaitl (EDM): With two goals and an assist, Draisaitl’s 10 playoff points lead Edmonton. His 52 regular-season goals won the Rocket Richard Trophy.

• Sergei Bobrovsky (FLA): His 38 saves, including clutch stops in OT, kept Florida alive. Sky Sports ranks him second among active goalies with 57 playoff wins.

• Connor McDavid (EDM): The Conn Smythe favorite (-175) had a goal and two assists, showcasing why he’s the league’s top playmaker.

Fan Frenzy: The Pulse on X

Fans lit up X with reactions to Game 2’s drama. @thecomeback posted, “Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl work their magic again to give the Oilers a 3-2 lead in Game 2! 🏒🚨 #StanleyCup #NHL,” capturing Edmonton’s third-period surge. After Perry’s equalizer, @awfulannouncing’s post went viral, reflecting the shock of the late tie. Florida fans celebrated Bennett’s winner, with @NHL’s “PANTHERS TIE THE SERIES!” post racking up thousands of likes. The sentiment was split—Edmonton fans hyped their team’s depth, while Panthers supporters praised their grit. These reactions, verified against ESPN and NHL.com, show the game’s emotional rollercoaster.

What’s Next: The Series Shifts to Florida

With the series tied 1-1, Game 3 looms on June 9, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET in Florida. The Panthers’ road dominance (5-0 in the playoffs) makes them dangerous at home, but Edmonton’s depth and McDavid’s wizardry keep them favored (-225 to win the Cup). Will Florida’s physicality and Bobrovsky’s netminding steal the series lead, or will Edmonton’s relentless attack strike again? TNT, truTV, and Max will broadcast the action, with fans glued to every second. Stay sharp with Ongoing Now 24.