Panthers hold off Oilers for pivotal Game 3 win

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☝️ Panthers score three in the 2nd, hold off Oilers for 4-3 Game 3 win. Despite a strong 1st period from the Oilers, where they outshot the Panthers and dominated puck possession, Sam Reinhart gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead with just 62 seconds remaining in the 1st thanks to deflecting a Gustav Forsling feed to the back of net.

The Oilers responded quickly in the second period. Warren Foegele energized the hometown crowd with a low glove-side snipe just 1:49 in, tying the game at 1-1.

However, the Panthers soon took control. Vladimir Tarasenko redirected an Eetu Luostarinen pass into the net at 9:12, sparking a scoring spree. Sam Bennett followed with a shot under the bar off a Matt Tkachuk setup just over four minutes later. And Aleksander Barkov snapped one blocker-side a minute and a half later, pushing the Panthers to a commanding 4-1 lead by the second intermission.

The Oilers started the third period sluggishly but managed to narrow the gap. Philip Broberg's shot ricocheted off Panthers’ defenseman Niko Mikkola's elbow pad and into the net, reducing the deficit to 4-2 with just under 14 minutes remaining.

And Ryan McLeod made things real interesting when he deflected in a Brett Kulak’s point shot with 5:17 remaining in the 3rd to make to make it a one-goal game.

Despite the Oilers' late surge, Sergei Bobrovsky continued his dominant play, making 32 saves on 35 shots for a .914 save percentage, including several grade-A scoring chances.

Through three Stanley Cup Final games, Bobrovsky has allowed just 4 goals against.

Both Barkov and Reinhart finished the night with a goal, an assist, and a +2 rating. Connor McDavid tallied two assists and a +2, while Leon Draisaitl was once again held pointless and finished -1.

The Panthers, now 7-2 on the road this postseason, have a chance to close out the series and lift Lord Stanley tomorrow night in Edmonton. Read more →

ICYMI 🛩️ + 🥱

Canadian air traffic control jokingly tried to prevent the Panthers from landing in Edmonton ahead of Game 3. Click the tweet to listen to the exchange. 👇

And Ryan Smith officially bought the Arizona Coyotes yesterday while announcing the team’s name for the 2024-25 season as the Utah Hockey Club and sharing their jersey design, which leaves much to be desired.

Can anyone tell me why Utah is unable to finalize a name, jersey design, and other branding in time for the start of 2024-25 season? This one-year name and jersey seems pretty JV if you ask me.

POLL 🗳️

QUICK HITS ⚡️

• 'You can feel it': Clinical Panthers pushing Oilers to the brink (Sportsnet)

• Skinner: If anyone can overcome 3-0 deficit, 'it's the Oil' (theScore)

• Five Potential Trade Destinations for Patrik Laine (The Hockey News)

• Rangers Re-Sign Kaapo Kakko to 1-Year Contract (The Hockey Writers)

• Blues name Alexander Steen as GM in waiting with plan to succeed Doug Armstrong in 2026 (AP News)

COACHES CORNER 🏒

• The importance of pushing and pulling while shooting (Tim Turk)

• Easy drill/exercise to engage more flex in your shot (Mikhail Flyagin)

TRIVIA 🧠