Marchand power, team grit propel Panthers to commanding lead in Stanley Cup final battle against Oilers

The Florida Panthers delivered a statement to the hockey world Tuesday night(June 10), overwhelming the Edmonton Oilers 6–1 in a physical, penalty‑filled Game 3 at Amerant Bank Arena. Their win gave Florida a commanding 2–1 lead in the best‑of‑seven Stanley Cup Final.

Just 56 seconds into the game, Brad Marchand struck first, becoming the oldest player in NHL history to score in the first three games of a Stanley Cup Final. His goal kicked off a Panthers scoring spree.

“Brad shows up when it matters,” said center Carter Verhaeghe. Marchand’s goal ignited the rooftop crowd and set Florida’s tone. His clutch scoring in high-stakes moments underlines his legacy.

Panther’s depth

The Panthers showcased their depth: Carter Verhaeghe, Sam Reinhart, Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad, and Evan Rodrigues all banged in goals. Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky stood tall with 32 saves, weathering early Oilers moments.

In contrast, Edmonton’s only tally came on a power play by Corey Perry, showing that veteran grit still runs through the Oilers’ veins.

Game 3 exploded into chaos in the third period. A line brawl erupted after Panthers' Trent Frederic cross-checked Sam Bennett, with seven players sent off for misconduct. Both teams racked up 140 penalty minutes, the fourth-most in Stanley Cup history.

While Marchand grabbed the headlines, Sam Bennett also shone as he nabbed his 14th goal of the playoffs, once again underscoring his rising influence. Bennett, visibly fired up in the brawl, carried the physical energy Florida thrived on.

Florida winger Jonah Gadjovich, who debuts as a Stanley Cup Final rookie, shared his journey as he noted the balance between developing as a father of twin daughters and competing on the sport’s biggest stage.

Panthers fans chanted “We want the Cup” as Game 3 ended. Florida now stands on the brink of a commanding 3–1 lead. Edmonton must recalibrate discipline and composure before Game 4 on Thursday night(June 12), or risk letting momentum slip away.