As game three finally came to a close, it was time to respect the fact that the series was 2-1. The Florida Panthers had firmly beaten the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Final to take the series lead. Teams winning game three have historically had a well-known and distinct advantage at the series. However, the Oilers are not to be too down, and we shall explain why.
The Oilers and Panthers 2025 Stanley Cup Final Series in Now 2-1
Heading into Game 3, the teams were extremely tight. Look no further than the double overtime game Brad Marchand winner that followed the overtime, at home, Leon Draisaitl winner.
One reason for the Oilers dominance continues to be the performance of their leader. Connor McDavid is continuing his incredible stretch of dominance through the all-time playoff scoring ranks. Since 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs began, McDavid has amassed 126 points in 72 games. The 126 points ITSELF would have him in the top-60 on the all-time playoff point list.
Game 3 Statistically Has Been Important to the Series Final Outcome
Let’s keep in the mind, the Panthers were up 3-0 last year. Then, the Oilers came back to outscore Florida 18-5 in Games 4-through-6. The first two games of this year’s series were very evenly played, and game three was a wild ride.
The first period of Game 3, was a bit of a head scratcher. You knew the Oilers were in it and they battled hard no doubt, but to be down 2-0 was not good. In this possibly, pivotal Game 3, Brad Marchand and Carter Verhaeghe gave the Panthers the advantage. Then, we went on to the second period of play.
The Oilers were in a stretch of 3-for-27 on the power play in the playoffs on the road, and the Corey Perry power play marker early in the second year could have shifted the balance of power in the series. However, the Oilers may have a weakness in their proverbial armour. The Oilers have struggled with the long change in games one and two, during the second periods of those games. Now, they were firmly taken care of on the road in Florida.
Check out these in game stats, for the third one of the series. Florida was able to outscore Edmonton 3-1 on the power play, that helped. With the final score being 6-1 Florida, you’d think the game would’ve been lopsided. However, it the game play itself was far from it.
The Oilers out hit and out shot the Panthers. The hits were 31-26 and the shots were 33-31. Meanwhile, a stat that doesn’t decide the winner, penalty minutes, were 81-55 with the Oilers having the 81. The last ten minutes of this one was played with no gloves or sticks. It was a way of getting frustrations out. But, the tightness of the game as a while, shows the Oilers are still in this series.
Where Do We Go from Here
For the remainder of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final between the Oilers and Panthers, it could still go anywhere. The Oilers do need to do something to figure out the Panthers depth. A lot of the Oilers forwards have seemingly been silenced in this series. They need to step up. Through three games, eight guys on Edmonton have more than point in the series. The rest of the forward group needs to get going, and fast. McDavid and Draisaitl can’t be expecting to play 25 minutes of high intensity hockey.
If Edmonton can execute and avoid the costly mistakes, they can easily take this series to seven. They need to find the balance quickly between firing on all cylinders, and have the depth, throughout the lineup to fend off the opportunistic Panther forwards. On the other hand, Florida just continues to grow and learn. And the scary thing for their opponents is, doing so as a champ, is a very big statement to make. It seems their gameplan is working. When you have the likes of Sam Bennett or Sam Reinhart, you know the Sams, finishing things off, you know you are in good shape. This should still be a great series, but the Oilers definitely need to haul out those shovels. Game 4 from Sunrise, Florida goes Thursday evening, so tune in for all the analysis right here, on Last Word On Hockey.
Main Photo Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
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