Brad Marchand Makes History with Shorthanded, Double OT Winner as Panthers Even Stanley Cup Final

Brad Marchand emerged as the hero in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final, scoring two breakaway goals, including the game-winner in double overtime, to lead the Florida Panthers to a 5-4 victory over the Edmonton Oilers.

His first goal was a short-handed tally that tied the game in the second period, and the second sealed the win at 8:05 of the second overtime. Remarkably, Marchand became the first player in Stanley Cup Final history to score both a short-handed goal in regulation and the game-winner in overtime.

Panthers Stay Calm Through Chaos, Overcome Oilers in Wild, High-Scoring Showdown

Despite Corey Perry’s last-second equalizer for Edmonton, which forced overtime for the second consecutive game, the Panthers stayed composed. Players like Matthew Tkachuk highlighted the loose and confident atmosphere in the locker room before overtime. Florida head coach Paul Maurice praised the team’s mental resilience, crediting their calm demeanor and leadership for helping them remain focused under pressure.

The game began with a chaotic, high-scoring first period, as both teams combined for five goals in just over 12 minutes—one of the fastest goal bursts in Stanley Cup Final history. Sam Bennett kicked off the scoring for Florida, but the Oilers quickly answered with goals from Evander Kane and Evan Bouchard. The Panthers responded with a well-executed goal by Seth Jones, but Edmonton regained the lead shortly after a controversial penalty on Bennett, which the player disputed.

Veteran Marchand Shines as Panthers Survive Chaos to Even the Stanley Cup Final

Marchand’s clutch performance added to an already impressive playoff résumé. His overtime goal marked his fifth career playoff OT goal, tying him for the third most in NHL postseason history. With 63 career playoff goals, he ranks fourth among active players, behind legends like Ovechkin and Crosby. His ability to anticipate plays and stay composed under pressure continues to impress both teammates and opponents alike.

The game wasn’t without its share of controversy and key plays. Bennett’s interference penalty, which led to Edmonton’s third goal, raised eyebrows due to apparent contact from Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm. Dmitry Kulikov and Anton Lundell were pivotal for the Panthers, with Kulikov scoring the third goal and Lundell assisting on both of Marchand’s breakaways. Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky also stood tall with 42 saves, particularly during the intense overtime stretches.

With the series now tied 1-1, the stage is set for a pivotal Game 3 in Sunrise, Florida. The Panthers, the defending Stanley Cup champions, have shown both resilience and offensive firepower, while the Oilers remain a formidable opponent. As both teams regroup, the spotlight will undoubtedly remain on Brad Marchand, whose veteran leadership and clutch performance may prove decisive in this thrilling series.