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Game 2 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final is underway, with the Oilers looking to double their advantage after beating the Panthers in overtime in the series opener.
Follow along as our reporters on the ground in Edmonton and team of NHL experts across the continent have you covered with the latest insight and analysis.
P3 14:00 – Panthers 4, Oilers 3
Kris Knoblauch is putting Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl together to generate some Oilers offense. Evan Bouchard fires a blast from the point that gets all the way through to Sergei Bobrovsky.
The Florida goalie doesn't give up the rebound to Draisaitl on the doorstep, making the save. More of that offensive zone time from Edmonton is pivotal.
GO FURTHER
The Oilers’ nuclear option: Do they keep Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl together?
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If the Oilers find a way to win tonight, they would tie the Stanley Cup playoffs record for third-period comeback victories in a single postseason. They've pulled off the feat four times so far, already a franchise record.
P3 15:00 – Panthers 4, Oilers 3
Five minutes through the third period and the relentless Florida Panthers forecheck is continuing. They aren't letting up.
Can Edmonton find a way to break through?
Florida is 10-1 this postseason when leading entering the third period. It's important to note, however, that the one loss came against Edmonton in Game 1.
P3 18:48 – Panthers 4, Oilers 3
The Florida Panthers kill off the Oilers power play to start the third period. Lots of passing for Edmonton but not a Grade A chance on Sergei Bobrovsky.
Still a one-goal lead for the Panthers.
P3 20:00 – Panthers 4, Oilers 3
The third period begins with the Edmonton Oilers having 1:12 left on the power play.
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The Florida Panthers are 31-1 when leading after the first or second period during the Stanley Cup playoffs in the Paul Maurice era.
That one loss? To the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of this Stanley Cup Final, when they couldn't protect a 3-1 lead.
Can the Oilers rally once again to win Game 2? Or will Florida clamp down to tie this series at one?
Fascinating third period ahead!
Brad Marchand, who turned 37 last month, is the second player age 37 or older to score in each of the first two games of a Stanley Cup Final, joining Larry Robinson who did so in 1989 for the Canadiens against the Flames.
Chuba Hubbard, running back for the NFL's Carolina Panthers, is an Alberta native — which means for this series, he's very much anti-Panthers (the Florida kind, that is). Hubbard is in the building for Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final in Edmonton.
With goals from Dmitry Kulikov and Seth Jones tonight, the Panthers have now gotten 17 goals from defensemen this postseason. Only three teams in the past decade have matched that total: 2024 Oilers (18), 2022 Avalanche (18) and 2020 Lightning (17).
Timeisnonsensical: Aight could have been worse. Get some PP time with fresh legs to start the 3rd. Regroup and reload. Let's go Oil.
Andy H: This officiating crew is bad on both sides.
Brian F: Game 1, Panthers were lucky to be ahead after first period despite being outplayed, dominated the second, and got dominated throughout the third and OT despite how long it took for Edmonton to win. Today, Florida was lucky to be down one after being dominated in the first, and is currently dominating the second. Hope we don’t get a rerun of G1 in third period here.
Brennan L: The right teams made the finals. No other team could match the pace these teams are setting. Good lord.
Remember, you can send us your thoughts, questions and predictions by emailing us at live@theathletic.com, and if you're a subscriber you can also join the Game 2 discussion page.
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Brad Marchand's goal in the second period was the second shorthanded goal of his career in the Stanley Cup Final. Incidentally, it came exactly 14 years after his first, which he scored in Game 3 of the 2011 Final for the Bruins against the Canucks.
No player has ever scored three shorties in their career in the SCF.
Edmonton's Leon Draisaitl and Florida's Sam Bennett each have three goals in this series, marking the first time in 35 years that multiple players have three goals each within the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final. They each had two in Game 1 and one tonight.
The last time it happened also involved the Oilers: Jari Kurri (Edmonton) and Ray Bourque (Boston) did so in 1990.
P2 0:00 – Panthers 4, Oilers 3
The period ends as the Florida Panthers lead by one over the Edmonton Oilers. Florida outplayed Edmonton for the second frame, as they scored two goals, courtesy of Dmitry Kulikov and a shorty from Brad Marchand.
Edmonton will have 1:12 left on the power play to start the third period.
P2 0:48 – Panthers 4, Oilers 3
The penalties continue as Carter Verhaeghe gets penalized with a hooking call. 44 seconds of four-on-four hockey.
Big opportunity for Edmonton as the period winds down.
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P2 2:04 – Panthers 4, Oilers 3
HOW did Connor McDavid not score? Oh my goodness. He has two or three chances on Sergei Bobrovsky. But the Florida goalie denies all three whacks from the Oilers superstar.
At the other end, Evan Bouchard gets penalized for cross-checking Eetu Luostarinen, retaliating after the Florida player took a whack at Skinner following a save. Panthers to the power play.
Both teams are doing an exceptional job of getting bodies to the front of the net to compromise the opposing goalie's sightlines. They've each already scored as a result of screens, and had plenty of other close calls.
The Oilers have racked up 12 blocks already, but Skinner has done an excellent job of fighting through the traffic and just made a huge reactionary save with his stick following a redirect in front.
P2 5:11 – Panthers 4, Oilers 3
The Oilers are on their heels. Kasperi Kapanen just saved a goal that would've put Florida up two.
How did that puck not go in? Florida's forecheck is just suffocating right now.
