The Florida Panthers are solely a win away from hoisting the Stanley Cup for the primary time in franchise historical past.
On Thursday, the Panthers constructed a three-goal lead heading into the third interval, in the end holding on for a 4-3 win over the Edmonton Oilers in Recreation 3 of the Stanley Cup Ultimate. Florida now owns a commanding 3-0 benefit, with an opportunity to shut issues out Saturday on the highway.
The turning level of Recreation 3 got here halfway by way of the second interval. What was a tie sport, 1-1, early within the interval shortly grew to become 4-1 within the blink of an eye fixed.
The Panthers notched three objectives over the ultimate 10:38 of the second, scored by Vladimir Tarasenko (9:12), Sam Bennett (13:57) and Aleksander Barkov (15:31).
Stymied many of the evening by the Panthers’ smothering forecheck and superior goaltending from Sergei Bobrovsky, the Oilers tried a comeback late. Targets from Philip Broberg and Ryan McLeod made issues attention-grabbing down the stretch, however Edmonton ran out of time.
The Oilers outshot the Panthers 35-23 and managed play by way of vital parts of the sport. Nevertheless, they didn’t make the most of 13 first-period photographs and, regardless of attending to him late, had been unable to resolve Bobrovsky sufficient regardless of quite a few possibilities.
In the meantime, Edmonton’s top-ranked energy play continued to battle. The unit went 0-for-3 on Thursday, managing solely six photographs whole. The Oilers at the moment are 0-for-10 on the person benefit for the collection.
Oilers star Connor McDavid seemed defeated after the loss, saying he felt the sport “was right there” for Edmonton to seize.
Whereas the Panthers almost let issues slip away within the third, their recipe success labored once more in Recreation 3. A relentless forechecking wave, stable goaltending and well timed scoring once more led Florida to victory.
All 4 of the Panthers’ objectives got here off misplays or turnovers by the Oilers. Conversely, on the opposite facet, they leaned on Bobrovsky, who was glorious once more, making 32 saves.
The Panthers are within the driver’s seat however aren’t wanting too far forward. After the win, Barkov mentioned the staff knew Recreation 4 can be the “hardest” of the collection to win.
The Oilers will host the Panthers, trying to stave off elimination, Saturday at 8 p.m. ET.
