Panthers Rally with Three-Goal Third Period to Edge Oilers 6-5

Florida Panthers celebrate scoring against the Edmonton Oilers during NHL season 2024

Summary:

  • The Oilers faced off Panthers for the first time since the Stanley Cup Final on Monday Night Hockey.
  • The high-scoring showdown ended with Florida’s 6-5 victory that ended Edmonton’s five-game winning streak.
  • With four lead changes, the back-and-forth game left the Panthers at 19-11-2 and the Oilers at 18-11-2.

In a mesmerising rematch of last season’s Stanley Cup finalists, the Florida Panthers edged out the Edmonton Oilers 6-5 in Monday’s showdown, putting an end to the Canadians’ five-game winning streak.

Florida’s Offense, Back to Life 

Niko Mikkola, Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhaeghe each contributed a goal and an assist, helping Florida add to Edmonton’s woes with a close but decisive win.

Florida’s offense roared back to life after being blanked in their last two away games. Jesper Boqvist, Matthew Tkachuk and Gustav Forsling also found the back of the net for the Panthers (19-11-2). 

Notably, Florida pulled off the victory without their top forward, Aleksander Barkov, who missed his second game due to illness.

On Edmonton’s side, it was Zach Hyman who was seen putting up the effort with two goals. 

Leon Draisaitl notched a goal and an assist. Kasperi Kapanen and Connor Brown also scored for the Oilers (18-11-2), who saw their five-game win streak come to a sudden end. 

Centre and captain Connor McDavid was instrumental in setting up plays, finishing with three assists.

While Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner managed 22 saves in a tough outing, Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky turned aside 25 shots. 

The Quick One-Two Punch That Solved the Game 

Early in the third period, a chaotic series of events led to the game’s turning point. After Evan Bouchard lost control of the puck, Anton Lundell swiftly passed it to Mikkola, who buried his third goal of the season to even the score. 

Just half a minute later, Sam Reinhart fired a seemingly harmless shot from a sharp angle that glanced off Skinner’s shoulder and trickled into the net for his 20th goal. 

This rapid one-two punch gave Florida the momentum they needed to close out the game.

Game Highlights 

Boqvist was the one who opened the scoring with a short-handed breakaway goal just under three minutes into the game. 

The player marked his fifth goal of the season as well as Florida’s second goal in over 214 minutes of play. 

With eight short-handed goals this season, the Panthers are ruling over this category in the NHL.

On the other hand, Draisaitl’s stellar form carried on. Recently named the NHL’s First Star of the Week, the player’s second-period goal also marked his 200th goal assisted by McDavid. 

Draisaitl now has 15-point performances in six consecutive games. His 23 goals, including 18 at even strength, currently top the league.

Up next, the Oilers will attempt to bounce back when hosting the Boston Bruins on Thursday in Rogers Place. The Panthers will head to Minnesota to face the Wild on Wednesday at the Xcel Energy Center.

Author Nemanja is new resident of Canada, with English is not his native language he is still learning about the betting industry. His main interests lie with Boxing and MMA especially UFC.