After two games of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers find themselves tied with one win each, effectively transforming the series into a best-of-five contest.
As Game 3 is set to take place on Monday night at 8 p.m. ET (broadcasting on TNT/Max), the crucial question is which team will gain the edge and take a 2-1 lead?
Here are some key notes on the matchup based on recent analysis, along with betting insights:
Matchup Notes
Game 3 Details:
Edmonton Oilers at Florida Panthers
Monday, 8 p.m. ET
TV: TNT/Max
With the series deadlocked at 1-1, the Florida Panthers have become slight favorites to lift the Stanley Cup, currently holding odds of -115 compared to the Oilers at -105. The odds for the Conn Smythe Trophy still place Connor McDavid at the top (+105), followed by Sergei Bobrovsky (+350), Sam Bennett (+400), and Leon Draisaitl (+650).
The Panthers` victory in Game 2 marked their ninth road win during this postseason run, setting a new franchise record. They are now only one road win shy of tying the all-time NHL record, which has been achieved six times previously, most recently by the 2019 St. Louis Blues.
This is the third occasion the Oilers have been tied 1-1 through the first two games of a Stanley Cup Final. In both prior instances (1984 against the New York Islanders and 1985 against the Philadelphia Flyers), they went on to win Game 3 and ultimately secure the Stanley Cup.
Brad Marchand`s overtime winning goal in Game 2 was his fifth career playoff overtime goal. This ties him for third place all-time with notable players such as Corey Perry, his teammate Carter Verhaeghe, Patrick Kane, and Glenn Anderson. Only Maurice Richard (six) and Joe Sakic (eight) have scored more.
Florida`s Sam Bennett opened the scoring in Game 2 with a power-play goal. This was his 12th road goal this postseason, setting a new NHL record for road goals in a single playoff year.
Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky made 42 saves for the second consecutive game. He is now one of only five goalies in NHL history to record 40 or more saves in back-to-back Stanley Cup Final games, joining Henrik Lundqvist (2014), Ed Belfour (2000), Rogie Vachon (1967), and Don Simmons (1958).
Leon Draisaitl`s goal was his 22nd career playoff power-play goal, moving him into a tie with Jari Kurri and Glenn Anderson for the second-most in Oilers history, behind only Wayne Gretzky (23). It was also his 10th goal of this postseason, making him just the third player in NHL history to score at least 10 goals in three consecutive postseasons, alongside Mike Bossy (1980-1983) and Wayne Gretzky (1983-1985).
Edmonton defenseman Evan Bouchard scored his 20th career playoff goal in his 71st playoff game. This ties him with Cale Makar as the fastest active defenseman to reach the 20-goal mark in the playoffs. Only six defensemen in NHL history have reached 20 playoff goals in fewer games: Paul Coffey (48), Brian Leetch (49), Bobby Orr (50), Denis Potvin (52), Al MacInnis (70), and Paul Reinhart (70).
Connor McDavid assisted on goals by both Draisaitl and Bouchard in the first period of Game 2. This marked his 33rd career multi-assist playoff game, breaking a tie with Sidney Crosby, Doug Gilmour, and Ray Bourque for third place all-time in multi-assist playoff performances. Only Wayne Gretzky (72) and Mark Messier (40) have more.
Scoring Leaders
-
Sam Bennett, C, Florida Panthers
GP: 19 | G: 13 | A: 6 -
Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton Oilers
GP: 18 | G: 6 | A: 25
Best Bets for Game 3
- Niko Mikkola total blocked shots; over 1.5 (+145):
- Expected to face significant ice time against Connor McDavid while on home ice with last change, Mikkola and Seth Jones are likely to see a heavy dose of the Oilers` captain. This increases Mikkola`s opportunity to block shots.
- Eetu Luostarinen total goals; over 0.5 (+600):
- As a forward on the Panthers` third line, Luostarinen is due for a goal. Statistics indicate he is second only to Sam Reinhart in overall scoring chances and leads the team in high-danger scoring chances through the first two games.
- Connor McDavid total goals; over 0.5 (+135):
- Despite recording 11 shots on goal across more than 66 minutes of ice time in the first two games, McDavid has yet to score. He is a strong candidate to find the back of the net in Game 3.
- Panthers to win by shutout (10-1):
- Considering the Panthers` effective defensive system, especially when playing at home, and Sergei Bobrovsky`s track record of shutouts in each of the previous three playoff rounds, a shutout victory for Florida is a plausible outcome.
Rupert Hartwell 
Benedict Kingsley