As anticipated after Game 1, unless one team establishes a significant early lead, the contests between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final are likely to be decided in the final 10 minutes or an overtime period.
This held true in Game 1, won by the Oilers in overtime. And it happened again Friday night, with veteran Corey Perry scoring the tying goal with just 18 seconds remaining to force OT. However, it took double overtime before another veteran, Brad Marchand, netted the winning goal, giving the Panthers a 5-4 victory. This levels the series at 1-1 as it shifts to South Florida for Game 3 on Monday.
Now that the series is tied, let`s assess how both teams performed in another dramatic overtime contest, identify the standout players, and consider the major questions facing both the Oilers and Panthers heading into Game 3.
Edmonton Oilers
Grade: B-
The Oilers started strong with three first-period goals but allowed two in the same period and two more in the second, struggling to maintain control. Despite this, they managed to score the tying goal late in the third, forcing a second consecutive overtime against the defending champions.
Game 2 was a rollercoaster, yet Edmonton had a chance to win before Marchand`s double OT winner. While the Oilers are skilled at comebacks, Game 2 highlighted the need to capitalize on opportunities. They dominated possession in the third (63.6% shot share, 4 high-danger chances) and the first OT (51.2% shot share, 5 high-danger chances) but couldn`t finish.
Heading to South Florida tied 1-1 is better than being down 2-0, as they were last year. However, given their numerous overtime scoring chances, this felt like a missed opportunity to take a 2-0 lead.
Florida Panthers
Grade: B
How much risk is acceptable against a team that seems to live in a state of perpetual threat, ready to attack at any moment? This question loomed for the Panthers during the first overtime, where they created several scoring opportunities.
These included a loose puck that slid under Stuart Skinner`s pads before John Klingberg cleared it, a rebound caught by Skinner, and Sam Reinhart`s breakaway that missed wide and could have ended the game. It seemed the Panthers might be left regretting another set of missed chances – until Marchand netted his second breakaway goal of the night to secure the win and level the series.
Marchand`s goal was pivotal, separating the Panthers from establishing control after two games versus facing a 2-0 deficit, especially after letting third-period leads slip in both contests.
Arda Öcal`s three stars of Game 2
1. Brad Marchand
RW, Panthers
Known for his unique traditions (like team visits to Dairy Queen), “The Rat King” was a game-changer. He scored a go-ahead short-handed goal in the second period – his second career short-handed tally against a Canadian team on June 6. He then capped off an incredible performance by scoring the winning goal in double overtime, also on a breakaway.
2. Connor McDavid
C, Oilers
McDavid recorded three assists. One assist, in particular, was a play that would be the highlight of many NHL players` careers or postseasons, yet for McDavid, this kind of extraordinary play seems routine.
3. The first period
What a thrilling start to Game 2! The Panthers struck first on the power play with Sam Bennett, but the Oilers quickly responded with two goals in under two minutes from Evander Kane and Evan Bouchard. Seth Jones tied the game again, only for McDavid to produce another moment of “McMagic,” bypassing Aleksander Barkov and making Aaron Ekblad look foolish before delivering a perfect pass to Leon Draisaitl for a goal. All this happened within the first period, ending with the Oilers leading 3-2.
Despite 11 penalties called in the opening 20 minutes, the game flow wasn`t disrupted; in fact, the power plays and 4-on-4 situations seemed to enhance the excitement.
Players to watch in Game 3
Evan Bouchard
D, Oilers
Evan Bouchard`s Game 2 performance brings added complexity to the Oilers` offseason decisions. It marked his seventh multi-point game this postseason and his second three-point game. Here`s the nuance: Bouchard was involved in nearly all the Oilers` offensive production, but he was also on the ice for three goals against, notably both of Marchand`s breakaways, and took two cross-checking penalties.
Despite this, he led the team in ice time (34:29), showing coach Kris Knoblauch`s trust. Bouchard is a pending restricted free agent on a bridge deal ($4.3 million). He`s due for a significant raise, and his play throughout the rest of the series will certainly influence those contract negotiations.
Matthew Tkachuk
RW, Panthers
What`s more surprising: that Tkachuk didn`t register a shot on goal until late in the third period (and even then, it was credited elsewhere)? Or that this was his sixth game this postseason without a shot on goal? Or perhaps most bizarrely, that the Panthers lost only one of those six games where Tkachuk didn`t record a shot?
Although Florida found enough offense to win Game 2, there`s no question Tkachuk is central to their hopes of winning the series. In games after he`s had zero shots on goal (including two consecutive instances), Tkachuk has responded by getting points in all but one. While scoring is important, Tkachuk`s game involves more; however, he only contributed one of the Panthers` 60 hits in Game 2. Florida needs more impactful play from their superstar.
Big questions for Game 3
Can the Oilers achieve more consistent early performance instead of relying solely on late-game heroics?
After two games, there`s a clear pattern suggesting the Oilers need to start games stronger instead of constantly depending on their ability to come back late. The first period of Game 2 was a prime example of their potential, with 14 shots, a 55% shot share, and three goals, including Draisaitl`s power-play marker that gave them a 3-2 lead.
The second period, however, was a stark contrast: limited to nine shots, allowing two goals, and possessing the puck less with a shot share below 30%. They ultimately rallied late in the third to tie it, but losing by the narrowest of margins highlights how their second-period struggles potentially cost them a 2-0 series lead, resulting instead in a 1-1 tie.
What adjustments do the Panthers need to make to close out games against the Oilers in the third period?
In Game 1, the Oilers ended Florida`s impressive 31-game winning streak when leading after two periods. This scenario nearly repeated itself in Game 2 with Perry`s late third-period goal forcing overtime, only for Marchand to eventually secure the win. After giving up three goals in the first period, the Panthers dominated the second with a 70.45% shot share, generating eight high-danger scoring chances and scoring two goals to take a 4-3 lead into the third.
A victory seemed within reach until, predictably, the Oilers mounted another comeback to tie the game. In overtime, Florida had numerous opportunities in both periods before Marchand`s winner. The Panthers are well aware of Edmonton`s resilience, having witnessed them force a Game 7 after trailing 3-0 last season. This postseason, Edmonton scored 15 goals in the final five minutes of regulation and were 4-0 in overtime heading into Game 2, underscoring that no lead is truly safe against them.
The Panthers managed to survive Game 2 in a way few teams have against the Oilers this playoff run, but they might not be so fortunate in subsequent games.
Benedict Kingsley 
Rupert Hartwell