Panthers Smoke Oilers 6-1, Take Control Of The SCF
Photo: Florida Panthers
SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Brad Marchand and Sam Bennett scored again, Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhaeghe each got their first goal in the Stanley Cup final, and the defending champion Florida Panthers capitalized on the Edmonton Oilers’ worst performance in weeks to win Game 3 in a 6-1 rout Monday night.
The Panthers lead the best-of-seven series 2-1.
Bennett added his NHL playoff-leading 14th goal, just the second at home, after making a big hit on Edmonton’s Vasily Podkolzin that contributed to the turnover to spring him on a breakaway. Marchand and Bennett have combined to score eight of Florida’s 13 goals in the series.
But it was not just them this time. Verhaeghe buried a perfect shot into the net under the cross bar on the power play, Reinhart made up for missing the net on an earlier attempt, Aaron Ekblad scored to chase Stuart Skinner on the fifth goal on 23 shots and Evan Rodrigues added the exclamation point in the waning minutes.
At the other end of the ice, Sergei Bobrovsky earned the “Bobby! Bobby!” chants from a fired up Florida crowd. The two-time Vezina Trophy-winning goaltender known as “Bob” was on his game for the very few quality chances the discombobulated Oilers mustered, making 32 saves.
Connor McDavid could not get his team on track, and Edmonton took 15 minors — led by Evander Kane’s three plus a misconduct to add up to 85 penalty minutes — including a brawl that ensued with less than 10 minutes left. Trent Frederic and Darnell Nurse, who fought Jonah Gadjovich, got misconducts that knocked them out of a game with an outcome determined long before.
After the final looked as evenly matched as can be with Games 1 and 2 each needing extra time, overtime and then double OT, Game 3 was a lopsided mismatch. The Oilers came unglued to the point Jake Walman resorted to squirting water on Panthersplayers on their bench from his spot on the visiting side.
The teams have some extra time off before Game 4 on Thursday, when the Panthers have the chance to take a 3-1 lead.
Character matters man. People like Daryl Katz will win where the bank account is concerned. When it is Mano vs Mano. I am taking the Owner who is a West Point grad over the guy who jock sniffs the 80s Oilers and is a good party favor supplier – wink wink. Pharmacy grads are just right for the party. When it comes down to it. Brad Marchand and his playoff totals. Last time I seen a winner like that. He is now in the inner circle with names such as Glenn Andersson and Bryan Trottier. Honorable mention to Patrick Kane.… Read more »
Brad Marchand is a better hockey player than connor mcdavid, his game play results speak for themselves.
PS, your actual name is Wing-Nut.
Rennie,
I don’t trust your player evaluations as frankly you never played on nor coached a team where you didn’t personally know the Coach who felt sorry for you and in turn you had to ensure your kid got playing time.
Leave the big thinking to me buddy.
Nice try cupcake.