The Florida Panthers took a commanding 3-0 series lead in the Stanley Cup Final on Thursday night, defeating the Edmonton Oilers 4-3 in Game 3.
The Oilers were down 4-1 going into the third period and had a tough time getting back into the game, but they nearly did. Philip Broberg scored about six minutes into the period and Ryan McLeod turned up the pressure on Florida with a shot past Sergei Bobrovsky at 14:43.
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Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) makes a save against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period of Game 3 of the NHL Hockey Stanley Cup Finals in Edmonton, Alberta on Wednesday. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press)
After Edmonton added a sixth man on the ice, they were unable to get another puck past “Bob,” and Florida was one win away from winning the first Stanley Cup in franchise history.
Florida took the lead at 18:58 of the first period on a goal by Sam Reinhart, his ninth goal of the postseason. Oilers winger Warren Vogel tied the game early in the period, but several Edmonton mistakes put Florida ahead.
Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner lost control of the puck in his own half, allowing Panthers winger Vladimir Tarasenko to score the winning goal. The Panthers’ victory was far from over at this point.
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Aleksander Barkov (16) of the Florida Panthers celebrates with Evan Rodriguez (17) after scoring a goal against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period of Game 3 of the NHL Hockey Stanley Cup Final in Edmonton, Alberta on Wednesday. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press)
Sam Bennett drilled a shot past Skinner at 12:57 and Aleksander Barkov scored a revenge goal for the Oilers after leaving Game 2 for a questionable high hit by Leon Draisaitl.
Bobrovsky made 32 saves to lead the Panthers to the victory despite allowing three goals. Skinner made 19 saves.
Oilers star Connor McDavid got involved in the scoring with assists on goals by Broberg and McLeod but still finished without a point.
Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) scores for the Florida Panthers during the second period of Game 3 of the NHL Hockey Stanley Cup Final in Edmonton, Alberta on Wednesday. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press)
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Game 4, which could see the Panthers pull off a sweep, begins Saturday night.
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