Game Summary
The Florida Panthers delivered a commanding 5-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5, putting them one win away from their second consecutive Stanley Cup championship. The Panthers dominated early, outscoring the Oilers 11-4 in the first period across the series, including a 2-0 lead in this game. Their relentless forecheck, puck battles, and defensive poise stifled Edmonton’s high-powered offense, keeping the Rogers Place crowd subdued for much of the night. The Panthers now head to Game 6 at Amerant Bank Arena in Florida on June 17, 2025, with the Stanley Cup in the building.
Scoring Summary
The first period of Game 5 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers. Sergei Bobrovsky’s Critical Early Save in Just 29 seconds into the game, Edmonton’s Connor Brown had a breakaway opportunity, but Bobrovsky made a crucial save to keep the game scoreless at the time. This stop was pivotal in preventing Edmonton from gaining early momentum in front of their home crowd, allowing Florida to settle into their game plan. Coach Paul Maurice later noted the importance of keeping the building quiet in the first 10 minutes. During the 9:12 in the 1st Period, Anton Lundell won a face-off in the defensive zone, allowing Brad Marchand to collect the puck. Marchand deftly outmaneuvered Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm with a quick move and beat goaltender Calvin Pickard with a backhand shot. Brad Marchand’s Opening Goal 1-0. This goal gave Florida an early lead, quieting the Rogers Place crowd and reinforcing the Panthers’ series-long dominance in first periods (outscoring Edmonton 11-4). It showcased Marchand’s veteran skill and set the game’s tempo. The Panthers established their aggressive forecheck early, winning puck battles and disrupting Edmonton’s offensive zone entries. While specific hit totals for the first period aren’t provided, Edmonton finished with 27 hits game-wide, indicating a physical response, but Florida’s pressure dictated play. This physicality and forecheck helped Florida control possession and create scoring opportunities, aligning with their 6-0 road playoff streak where they outscored opponents 27-7. Just 22 seconds after successfully killing off an Edmonton power play, Matthew Tkachuk fired a shot that was blocked by an Oilers defender. Sam Bennett pounced on the rebound and fired it past Pickard, During the 18:06, Florida, Sam Bennett’s Rebound Goal 2-0. This goal marked Bennett’s league-leading 15th playoff goal and extended his historic streak of scoring in six consecutive road playoff games, a feat matched by only four other players in NHL history. The quick strike after the penalty kill further deflated Edmonton’s momentum. Florida killed off an Edmonton power play late in the period, leading directly to Bennett’s goal shortly after. The Panthers’ aggressive penalty kill disrupted Edmonton’s setup, limiting high-danger chances. The successful kill showcased Florida’s disciplined special teams, which went 3/3 on the penalty kill in the game, and set up the quick transition that resulted in the 2-0 lead.
In the second period, The Panthers successfully neutralized two Edmonton power plays, maintaining their 2-0 lead from the first period. Their disciplined defensive structure and aggressive penalty kill limited the Oilers’ high-powered offense, preventing any power-play goals. At 8:25, Edmonton’s Connor McDavid had a prime scoring chance, but his shot hit the post after a key save by Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. This moment was pivotal in keeping the Oilers off the scoreboard and preserving Florida’s lead. It was a Critical Save by Sergei Bobrovsky for keeping the Panthers alive. The Defensive continued their Dominance performance, The Panthers’ forecheck and neutral-zone play continued to stifle Edmonton’s offensive zone entries, limiting high-danger chances. Florida’s ability to control puck possession and win battles along the boards kept the Rogers Place crowd quiet. Both teams engaged in physical play, with Edmonton recording 25 hits across the game (specific second-period hit totals not provided). The Panthers matched the intensity, maintaining their aggressive style, which set the stage for their third-period outburst. Despite opportunities, neither team found the back of the net, with Florida’s 2-0 lead holding firm. The period showcased the Panthers’ defensive resilience and Bobrovsky’s clutch goaltending, setting up the critical third period where Florida would pull away.
The Third Period of Game 5 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers, both teams started of strong in the first 5 minutes as both goalies did their best to defend the other team. During Brad Marchand’s Highlight-Reel Goal, After Anton Lundell lined up for a defensive zone face-off against Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton won the draw, but Jake Walman’s pass to Evan Bouchard was intercepted by Eetu Luostarinen’s stick at center ice. Brad Marchand scooped up the loose puck, skated up the left side, and executed a dazzling move, faking out Walman with a sudden shift to the inside. He slipped the puck under Walman’s stick and backhanded it through goaltender Calvin Pickard’s legs, scoring his second goal of the night at 5:02, as Florida scored 3-0. This goal, described as “highlight-reel” by teammates, stood as the game-winner, Marchand’s 16th career playoff game-winner, tying him with Jaromir Jagr and Patrick Marleau for 10th in NHL history. The goal sparked an iconic moment on the Panthers’ bench, where Matthew Tkachuk, overwhelmed with excitement, was caught on microphone exclaiming, “Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God, oh my God, oh my God.” Unable to contain himself, he embraced captain Aleksander Barkov, then defensemen Dmitry Kulikov and Nate Schmidt, in a spontaneous display of joy. Sam Bennett later said he’d need to rewatch the play to understand Marchand’s skill, calling it “unbelievable.” At 7:36, as Connor McDavid broke through for his first goal of the 2025 Final, beating Sergei Bobrovsky with a shot that cut Florida’s lead to 3-1. The goal briefly reignited the Rogers Place crowd and gave Edmonton a glimmer of hope for a comeback, showcasing McDavid’s ability to create offense despite Florida’s tight checking. Just 46 seconds after McDavid’s goal, Sam Reinhart silenced Edmonton’s momentum. On a quick transition play, Reinhart received a pass in the left circle and roofed a shot over Pickard, restoring Florida’s three-goal lead at 8:10, in the 3rd Period with Sam Reinhart’s Quick Response to give Florida the 4-1 lead. This rapid response demonstrated the Panthers’ resilience and ability to seize control, effectively deflating Edmonton’s comeback attempt. At 16:47, Edmonton, Corey Perry scored a Late Goal as it started off with Pickard pulled for an extra skater, Corey Perry scored his 10th career Stanley Cup Final goal, narrowing the gap to 4-2. The goal came too late to spark a significant rally, but it highlighted Perry’s playoff experience and Edmonton’s desperation to stay alive. Edmonton realize the empty netter as they controlled most of the defense until the moment at 18:41, Florida, Eetu Luostarinen sealed the victory with the Empty-Net Goal 5-2, from the defensive zone, capping Florida’s dominant performance. The goal ensured the 5-2 final score, reinforcing Florida’s control and sending the series back to Florida with a 3-2 lead. Throughout the period, Sergei Bobrovsky remained steady, making key saves to preserve Florida’s lead, finishing with 19 saves on 21 shots (.905 save percentage). The Panthers’ defensive structure limited Edmonton to 26 shots (specific third-period shot count not provided), neutralizing high-danger chances beyond McDavid’s and Perry’s goals.
Key Player Performances
- Brad Marchand (FLA): Scored two goals, bringing his series total to a league-leading six, the most in a Stanley Cup Final since Esa Tikkanen in 1988. His game-winner, a dazzling move past Walman, tied him with Jaromir Jagr and Patrick Marleau for the 10th-most playoff game-winning goals (16) in NHL history. Marchand’s 11 career Final goals lead active players.
- Sam Bennett (FLA): Scored his 15th playoff goal, leading the NHL, and continued his six-game road goal streak, a feat achieved by only four other players in NHL history.
- Eetu Luostarinen (FLA): Recorded a goal and an assist, with his defensive play on a face-off sparking Marchand’s game-winner.
- Sergei Bobrovsky (FLA): Made 19 saves, including a critical stop on Connor Brown’s breakaway 29 seconds into the game, helping keep Edmonton scoreless early. Bobrovsky’s 116 saves through three games in the Final tie for the second-most in NHL history.
Game Notes
- Panthers’ Road Dominance: Florida improved to 6-0 in their last six road playoff games, outscoring opponents 27-7 with a 42.9% power-play success rate. Their ability to quiet the Edmonton crowd early was pivotal, as noted by coach Paul Maurice.
- Oilers’ Struggles: Edmonton fell to 2-3 in the series, with their early-game flatness a recurring issue (outscored 11-4 in first periods). Defenseman Mattias Ekholm emphasized the need for better starts.
- Historic Context: The Panthers are the ninth franchise with three straight Stanley Cup Final appearances and the second in the last 40 years (Tampa Bay, 2020-22). A win in Game 6 would make them the 10th franchise to repeat as champions and the eighth in the expansion era.
- Series Outlook: Florida’s 78% chance of winning the Cup, per projection models, reflects their dominance, while Edmonton faces a must-win Game 6 to force a Game 7 back in Alberta.
Post-Game Quotes
- Brad Marchand (FLA): “I’m not really nervous, just excited. It’s a special time, special memories that we’re going to have forever.”
- Sam Reinhart (FLA): On Bennett, “His game translates so well to this time of year. He creates so much room for himself.”
- Paul Maurice (FLA): On Bobrovsky’s early save, “When you’re on the road and you can keep the building from lighting up in the first 10 minutes, that’s a big part of the emotions.”
Next Game
- Game 6: Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at Amerant Bank Arena, Florida, 8:00 p.m. ET (TNT, truTV, Max, Sportsnet, TVASports, CBC). The Panthers can clinch the Stanley Cup, while the Oilers need a win to extend the series to Game 7 on June 20 in Edmonton.
Rats Conclusion
The results confirm that Panthers players continued this tradition in road games, as The Panthers shot rats at Marchand. The tradition continues on the road strongly suggesting the ritual occurred after Game 5 in Edmonton. Given the precedent in other road playoff games and the significant 5-2 win, it’s highly likely that Panthers fans in attendance threw rats onto the ice, providing ammunition for players to fire at Marchand as they get ready to go to the dressing room.
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