In a disappointing Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, the Edmonton Oilers struggled to keep pace with the Florida Panthers, losing 6-1 and falling behind 2-1 in the series.
Things started poorly for the Oilers when forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, a question mark due to injury heading into the game, missed an opportunity with a power play early in the first period. His shot went high and wide, and it would only go downhill from there for Edmonton.
“We didn’t play very well, that’s evident,” Oilers winger Evander Kane said after the game. “We have nobody to blame but ourselves.” The team was undisciplined, taking unnecessary penalties, including three in the offensive zone and another for too many men on the ice.
Florida capitalized on these mistakes early. Just 56 seconds into the game, Brad Marchand scored to give the Panthers an early lead. Then, during a power play, Carter Verhaeghe scored to make it 2-0.
Corey Perry briefly gave the Oilers some hope, scoring on a power play early in the second period, cutting the deficit to 2-1. But another turnover from defenseman John Klingberg led to Sam Reinhart scoring to make it 3-1.
The Panthers’ physical play continued to rattle Edmonton. Sam Bennett delivered a huge hit on Vasily Podkolzin, leading to a breakaway goal, before Aaron Ekblad and Evan Rodrigues sealed the game with power-play goals in the third period.
The Oilers, who had been known for staying disciplined in previous games, struggled with the Panthers’ gritty, often borderline tactics. Florida, which defeated Edmonton last year in a seven-game series to win its first championship, played its brand of physical, sometimes aggressive, hockey.
“They seem to get away with it more than we do,” Kane said. “It’s tough to find the line. They’re doing just as much stuff as we are, but there seems to be a little bit more attention on our group.”
Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch also expressed frustration with the officiating, referencing an incident in Game 2 where he believed Florida should have been penalized for too many men on the ice in overtime.
Despite the lopsided loss, Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner said it would be easy to move on from the result. “It’s just one game,” Skinner said. “It doesn’t change how we’re going to respond.”
As the game got more physical, Edmonton tried to send a message, with Darnell Nurse fighting Jonah Gadjovich in the third period. Knoblauch saw this as an investment for future games. “Boys being boys. Just trying to make investments for the next game.”
With the series now shifting back to Edmonton for Game 4, Oilers captain Connor McDavid emphasized the importance of the next match. “You go back home at 2-2 or down 3-1 … it’s a big swing,” McDavid said. “It’s a pivotal game. There’s no doubt about it.”
The Oilers will need to regain their focus, improve their discipline, and capitalize on their opportunities in Game 4 if they want to avoid falling further behind in this crucial series.
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