Oilers Collapse Against Panthers: Penalties and Chaos in the Stanley Cup Final

Panthers Humiliate Oilers in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final

The Florida Panthers dominated the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, with a final score of 6-1. The match was marked by a high number of penalties, intense physical play, and moments of tension that led the Oilers to lose control. The game got out of control for the Oilers, who accumulated 21 penalties, resulting in 85 penalty minutes. The starting goalie was substituted, and there was a near-mass brawl in the third period. Even an Oilers player reacted with a controversial gesture from their bench.

“I think the game got out of control at the end. Those things are going to happen. You look at some of the decisions and other things, and obviously some of them are frustrating,” commented Evander Kane, Oilers player.

Evander Kane, Oilers Player

Kane, who accumulated 16 minutes in penalties in the game, suggested that the Oilers were penalized for trying to match the Panthers’ aggressiveness, while the latter seemed to escape penalties. The intensity of the game was reflected in the number of penalties, with the Panthers accumulating 14, resulting in 55 penalty minutes. After two hard-fought games that ended in a 1-1 tie, Game 3 turned into a Panthers’ dominance. Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner had a weak performance, including a delay-of-game penalty that led to the Panthers’ fifth goal and his subsequent substitution in the third period. The Panthers’ aggressiveness destabilized the Oilers, who fell into the trap of provocation. Kane received two penalties in the first period and was later penalized for a hit on Carter Verhaeghe of the Panthers. Oilers player Corey Perry provoked the Panthers, while defenseman Jake Walman reacted to an incident with a water bottle.

“Yes, obviously I did that for a reason. I won’t go into detail. It’s just a game, I guess,” Walman said.

Jake Walman, Oilers Player

With 9:31 remaining in regulation, the Oilers’ Trent Frederic went after the Panthers’ Sam Bennett, which sparked a scrum. The encounter reflected the intensity and competitiveness of the series. Brad Marchand of the Panthers highlighted Bennett’s competitiveness, while Marchand opened the scoring within seconds of the match. The first period was characterized by a series of penalties, before Verhaeghe scored a power-play goal, giving the Panthers a 2-0 lead. Perry cut the lead with a power-play goal, but Sam Reinhart responded for the Panthers. Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch commented on Skinner’s performance and the need to improve the team’s discipline. Evan Rodrigues scored the Panthers’ sixth goal, marked by multiple penalties and calls.

“It’s for the Stanley Cup, you know? … There isn’t an inch there. That’s a man’s game. It’s not for the faint of heart. The guys are giving it their all, you know?” said Walman.

Jake Walman, Oilers Player

Oilers captain Connor McDavid acknowledged that the team strayed from their game and highlighted the Panthers’ merit. If the Oilers want to bounce back before returning to Edmonton, they will need a better performance from their stars, McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. This was only the thirteenth playoff game in which McDavid and Draisaitl did not record points. The Oilers have a 2-11 record in those games. Draisaitl also failed to register a shot attempt in the game for the second time in 93 playoff games. McDavid is confident that the team will improve its performance in the next games.