The Oilers played Game 3 nearly flawlessly, checking off almost every box in the playbook.
They dominated possession in the offensive zone, outshot their opponents, and maintained error-free hockey for most of the game. Yet, the Panthers proved adept at capitalizing on slip-ups, ultimately skating away with a 4-3 victory.
After knotting the score at 1-1 early in the second period, Stuart Skinner’s mishandling of the puck gifted Florida a crucial goal. This costly blunder set off a downward spiral for the Oilers.
In a span of just six minutes, the Panthers added two more goals, forging ahead 4-1 heading into the final period. Known for their strong third-period performances throughout the regular season and playoffs, the Panthers seemed poised to close out the game.
However, the Oilers managed to punch in two goals in the third period, nearly forcing an overtime showdown. Alas, their efforts fell short as they failed to convert a third, resulting in a heartbreaking 3-0 series deficit.
Now facing the daunting task of overcoming such a deficit, Edmonton finds itself in rare company. Only the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs have managed to accomplish this feat in the Stanley Cup Finals. The Oilers now look to kickstart their comeback in Game 4 scheduled for Saturday, June 15.
Panthers vs. Oilers score
| 1 | 2 | 3 | F | |
| Panthers | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| Oilers | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Panthers vs. Oilers updates, highlights from Game 3 of 2024 Stanley Cup Final
The Oilers brought their A-game to Game 3 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, executing almost flawlessly in several areas.
They dominated puck possession in the offensive zone, outshooting their opponents, and maintained a high level of mistake-free hockey for the majority of the game. However, the Panthers demonstrated their knack for capitalizing on errors, which ultimately led to a 4-3 defeat for Edmonton.
The turning point came early in the second period when Stuart Skinner mishandled the puck, resulting in a crucial goal for Florida. This costly and preventable mistake sent the Oilers into a tailspin.
Within the next six minutes, the Panthers added two more goals, building a formidable 4-1 lead heading into the final period. Despite Florida’s reputation as a strong third-period team, the Oilers managed to find some chinks in their armor.
Edmonton fought back valiantly in the third period, scoring two goals and coming agonizingly close to tying the game. However, they couldn’t find the net for a third time, ultimately sealing their fate with a 3-0 deficit in the series.
Now facing the daunting task of overcoming such a deficit, the Oilers find themselves in rare company. Only the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs have managed to come back from a 3-0 deficit in the Stanley Cup Finals. The road to redemption begins with Game 4 on Saturday, June 15.
