EDMONTON, Alberta — In a thrilling rematch of the Stanley Cup Final, the Florida Panthers triumphed over the Edmonton Oilers with a score of 6-5 on Monday evening. Carter Verhaeghe netted the decisive goal in the third period, securing the win for the reigning champions.
Alongside Verhaeghe, several Panthers players contributed to the scoreboard, including Niko Mikkola, Sam Reinhart, Jesper Boqvist, Matthew Tkachuk, and Gustav Forsling. The Panthers managed to clinch victory without their star forward Aleksander Barkov, who missed his second game in a row due to illness. In goal, Sergei Bobrovsky made 25 saves, fortifying the Panthers’ defense.
For the Oilers, the game featured a strong performance from Zach Hyman, who scored two goals. Leon Draisaitl also played a crucial role with a goal and an assist. Additionally, Kasperi Kapanen and Connor Brown added to the score for Edmonton. The loss halted a five-game win streak for the Oilers. Connor McDavid assisted on three goals, while goaltender Stuart Skinner recorded 22 saves.
One concerning moment in the game occurred when Hyman took a puck to the face after a powerful shot by Evan Bouchard was deflected. He exited the ice bleeding but returned for the third period sporting a full face shield.
Key Observations:
The Panthers struck first with a critical short-handed goal just 2:42 into the opening period. Jesper Boqvist capitalized on a misplayed puck by Bouchard, executing a breakaway that culminated in his fifth goal of the season. This score was significant as it snapped Florida’s two-game scoreless streak, marking their second goal in 214 minutes of play. Impressively, the Panthers lead the NHL with eight short-handed goals this season.
On the Oilers’ side, Draisaitl continued to shine, recording his sixth consecutive game with multiple points, bringing his total to 15 points in that stretch. He leads the league with 23 goals, including 18 at even strength, as well as seven game-winning goals.
Turning Point:
Verhaeghe’s crucial goal came after he received a pass from Bennett in the left corner. He tricked Skinner with a feint and shot the puck over his shoulder into the top left corner of the net, giving the Panthers a vital 6-5 advantage with just under seven minutes left in the game.
Noteworthy Stat:
During the second period, Hyman reached a significant milestone by scoring his 200th goal, marking an important achievement as McDavid assisted on the play. Hyman has shown remarkable form since returning from injury, scoring seven goals over his past six games and now standing with ten goals for the season.
Looking Ahead:
The Panthers are set to face the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday as they conclude their five-game road trip, while the Oilers will host the Boston Bruins on Thursday.