Panthers take down Oilers in 2OT mystery to knot up Stanley Cup Final

EDMONTON, Alberta — Brad Marchand scored on a breakaway in double additional time and the protecting champion Florida Panthers punched again in opposition to the Edmonton Oilers in Game 2 in their Stanley Cup Final rematch, successful 5-4 on Friday evening to even the collection.

Marchand’s 2nd purpose of the evening 8:04 into the second one OT allowed Florida to flee with a cut up after Corey Perry scored to tie it with 17.8 seconds left within the 3rd duration and Stuart Skinner pulled for an additional attacker. Each of the primary two video games this ultimate have long past to additional time, for the primary time since 2014 and simply the 6th in NHL historical past.

Much like remaining yr and the playoff run thus far, Sergei Bobrovsky used to be dialed in when he used to be wanted probably the most, making some unreal saves whilst preventing 42 of the 46 photographs he confronted. His teammates supplied the essential purpose enhance.

Along with Marchand, Sam Bennett scored his postseason-leading 13th purpose and NHL document 12th at the highway. Seth Jones scored right into a wide-open internet after some impressive tic-tac-toe passing, and fellow defenseman Dmitry Kulikov tied it with a shot thru visitors that Stuart Skinner virtually undoubtedly didn’t see.

Kulikov’s purpose got here after Florida managed play for a number of mins in the second one, hemming Edmonton in its zone shift after shift and piling up a 34-13 benefit in shot makes an attempt all through the duration. Marchand’s OT purpose used to be his 10th occupation purpose within the ultimate to steer all energetic avid gamers.

Game 3 is Monday evening because the groups traverse the continent and play shifts to Sunrise.

The Panthers wrested home-ice benefit clear of the Oilers by way of splitting the primary two, rebounding from a Game 1 additional time loss and saying they gained’t pass quietly in opposition to Draisaitl and Connor McDavid having a look like they’ll do the whole thing of their energy to hoist the Cup for the primary time.

Of direction, the ones stars had their moments. They assisted on Evan Bouchard’s purpose when trainer Kris Knoblauch put them at the ice in combination, and McDavid stickhandled thru a couple of defenders in highlight-reel type to arrange Draisaitl scoring at the energy play.

There had been a large number of the ones — 10 in general — after officers whistled 14 consequences, together with 3 within the first 4 mins. Each staff had a couple of calls it used to be no longer pleased with, regardless that maximum of that evened out over the process the sport.