The Thrilling 2025 Stanley Cup Final
The 2025 Stanley Cup Final has thus far been a thrilling contest, marked by closely contested matches that required overtime to decide. However, Game 3 offered a stark contrast as the Florida Panthers dominated the Edmonton Oilers with a decisive 6-1 victory. With this win, the Panthers not only took a 2-1 lead in the series but also positioned themselves just one win away from a second consecutive Stanley Cup. Meanwhile, the Oilers find themselves in a position where they must rebound in Game 4 to keep their championship hopes alive before the series heads back to Edmonton for Game 5.
Upcoming Game and Betting Odds
Game 4 is slated to kick off at 8 p.m. ET and can be viewed on TNT/Max. Following Florida’s impressive performance in Game 3, the betting odds have significantly shifted in their favor, now placing the Panthers as -260 favorites, while the Oilers are listed at +215. This change illustrates how momentum can swing dramatically in playoff hockey.
Player Performances and Historical Context
Sam Bennett’s chances of winning the Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded to the playoff MVP, have also seen a substantial increase, moving from +400 to +120. He now sits among the top contenders alongside Connor McDavid (+240), Brad Marchand (+550), and Sergei Bobrovsky (+650).
Throughout Stanley Cup history, a best-of-seven series that has been tied 1-1 sees the victor of Game 3 boasting a strong record of 23 wins to just 7 losses. The Panthers, having surged to a 2-1 series lead, have previously succeeded in 3 out of 4 instances when in this position. The only occasion where they faltered while leading 2-1 in a best-of-seven matchup was back in 2012 against the New Jersey Devils.
In particular, the Oilers have showcased resilience in their past playoff runs when facing a 2-1 deficit; they overcame such odds to win three consecutive series, including a triumphant second-round performance against the Vancouver Canucks and the Western Conference finals against the Dallas Stars.
Scoring Records and Historic Achievements
Historical trends suggest that Florida’s scoring prowess is noteworthy; they’ve become just the sixth team in playoff history to net five or more goals in a game 11 times during a single postseason, a feat last achieved by the 1992 Pittsburgh Penguins, among whom four of the five previous squads clinched the Cup.
Marchand continues to make history as well; with his scoring in Game 3, he cemented his status as the oldest player to score in each of the first three games of a Stanley Cup Final, overtaking Frank Mahovlich’s record set back in 1973. His total of four goals in this series is the most recorded by a player aged 37 or older in a Final. Furthermore, both Bennett and Marchand have become the second pair of teammates in NHL history to each score in the first three games of a Cup Final, joining the likes of Steve Payne and Dino Ciccarelli from the 1981 Minnesota North Stars.
On the coaching front, Paul Maurice has etched his name in the record books, achieving his 1,000th career victory—only the third coach in history to reach this milestone, following the legendary Scotty Bowman and Joel Quenneville.
Superstar Performance and Future Expectations
Notably, Game 3 also marked the 13th instance this postseason where superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl were both held scoreless in the same game. On a brighter note for the Oilers, winger Corey Perry achieved his 10th career Cup Final goal, placing him second among active players in this category, just behind Marchand.
With 20 different players finding the net for Edmonton this postseason, they are on the brink of tying an NHL record for goal scorers in a single playoff campaign, a mark shared by the 1987 Philadelphia Flyers and the 2019 Boston Bruins. As Game 4 approaches, keep an eye out for individual player performances.
Expectations are high for Evan Bouchard, who has been prolific in generating shots, as reflected in his line of over 3.5 total shots on goal, while Sergei Bobrovsky is set with a target of over 26.5 saves after a strong showing in Game 3 where he successfully stopped numerous high-danger shots. Marchand’s point streak also makes him a player to watch as he carries a positive plus-minus through the Finals, indicating his effectiveness on the ice. Tune in for what promises to be another exciting chapter in this series as the Oilers look to fight back against the formidable Panthers.
