Stanley Cup Final 2025 Game 2 live updates: Panthers lead Oilers 4-3 at end of second period

New York Times

11 hours ago

Follow live updates from Game 2 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final as Edmonton looks to grab a 2-0 series lead over Florida Getty Images
Game 2 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final is underway, with the Oilers looking to double their advantage after beating the Panthers in overtime in the series opener.
Follow along as our reporters on the ground in Edmonton and team of NHL experts across the continent have you covered with the latest insight and analysis. Connections: Sports Edition Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms
P2 10:29 - Panthers 3, Oilers 3
The Oilers need to weather this Panthers onslaught. Florida loves scoring goals in the second period. They've piled up goals in succession during these playoffs in the second frame.
Can Edmonton withstand the Florida pressure unscathed? Getty Images
Former Oiler Dmitry Kulikov ties the game with a shot from the point. Matthew Tkachuk gets bumped into Stuart Skinner. The Oilers opt not to challenge. Tie game. It's 3-3.
P2 12:01 - Oilers 3, Panthers 3
Dmitry Kulikov silences the crowd. He fires a shot through traffic, which Stuart Skinner couldn't see. The Oilers get burned for an extended shift from Connor McDavid, Evan Bouchard and Mattias Ekholm.
The Florida Panthers tie the game again. Getty Images
That save by Bobrovsky on Evan Bouchard was sensational to keep the Panthers deficit at only one. It was yet another great play by Connor McDavid to set that chance up, but Bobrovsky's lateral movement is second to none.
I'm shocked at how easily the Oilers have generated rush offense over the first half of this game. The Panthers' gaps in the neutral zone haven't been good, and the result is tons of open ice for Edmonton's skilled skaters to utilize. This game could be out of hand already if not for Bobrovsky. Getty Images
P2 14:28 - Oilers 3, Panthers 2
It looks like the referees are letting the players play in this period. Sam Bennett gets cross-checked but the referee doesn't call a penalty on Edmonton.
Dmitry Kulikov fires a snap shot from the point which Stuart Skinner gobbles up. Edmonton still leads by one.
P2 15:37 - Oilers 3, Panthers 2
It's an onslaught of Panthers pressure in the offensive zone. They've been in the attacking zone for over a minute and Stuart Skinner makes two critical saves on Sam Reinhart and Aleksander Barkov.
Massive for Edmonton to escape that without giving up a goal. Getty Images
P2 18:04 - Oilers 3, Panthers
Oh my Sergei Bobrovsky! Connor McDavid finds Evan Bouchard, who delivers a blast that the Panthers goalie needs to dive across the crease to save.
Bouchard has three shots on six attempts tonight, including a goal. What a scoring chance. Getty Images
P2 19:10 - Oilers 3, Panthers 2
The Oilers are able to kill the Florida power play to start the period. As Evan Bouchard comes out of the box, he gets the puck for an odd-man rush.
The Edmonton defenseman fires a shot on target but Sergei Bobrovsky makes the save before a scrum ensues following the whistle. The intensity continues in this second period.
P2 20:00 - Oilers 3, Panthers 2
The second period is underway from Edmonton. Florida starts on the power play for 41 seconds. Getty Images
Evan Bouchard added another secondary helper on the McDavid-to-Draisaitl jaw-dropping tally, his third point of the game. He's now up to 79 points in his playoff career, tying him with teammate Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for ninth on the franchise's all-time list.
With that first-period goal in his 71st playoff game, Evan Bouchard has matched Colorado Avalanche star Cale Makar as the fastest active defenseman to 20 career playoff goals.
Only six other defensemen have reached 20 goals that quickly in NHL history: Paul Coffey (48 games played)
Brian Leetch (49)
Bobby Orr (50)
Denis Potvin (52)
Al MacInnis (70)
Paul Reinhart (70)
Reinhart, of course, is the father of Panthers forward Sam Reinhart. Rob H.: Another great game, but Panthers need to keep it from turning into a track meet.
Another great game, but Panthers need to keep it from turning into a track meet. Brennan L.: This is awesome. The intensity and skill is insane.
This is awesome. The intensity and skill is insane. Brandon W.: Imagine cheering for this Panthers team.
Imagine cheering for this Panthers team. Brian F.: Edmonton just absolutely on fire. Can't even pretend.
Edmonton just absolutely on fire. Can't even pretend. Victor E.: Keep up the parade to the penalty box Florida.
Remember, you can send us your thoughts, questions and predictions by emailing us at [e-mail], and if you're a subscriber you can also join the Game 2 discussion page. Imagn Images
Evan Bouchard got another playoff goal in the first period tonight. Per Sportsnet stats, Bouchard is the class of the NHL for playoff goals by a defenseman since 2022.
Below are his playoff goals by type and where that ranks among the league (you'll notice a pattern). Total: 20 (1st)
20 (1st) Power play: 8 (1st)
8 (1st) Even strength: 12 (1st)
12 (1st) Game winning: 6 (1st)
6 (1st) Game-tying or go-ahead: 10 (1st) Imagn Images
With his 10th goal in the 2025 NHL playoffs (and third in this Stanley Cup Final already), Leon Draisaitl has become the third player in NHL history to score 10-plus goals in three consecutive postseasons.
He joins Mike Bossy (in four straight playoffs from 1980-1983) and fellow Oiler Wayne Gretzky (three straight from 1983-1985). Imagn Images
Shots:
Shot attempts:
Hits:
Faceoffs won:
Power play:
Penalty minutes:
Blocked shots: Imagn Images
Connor McDavid has recorded his 33rd career multi-assist playoff game, and did so in dramatic fashion with a beautiful pass through traffic to Leon Draisaitl for the Oilers' third goal of the first period.
McDavid is now alone in third place all-time in terms of multi-assist playoff games, behind Wayne Gretzky (72) and Mark Messier (40). His performance tonight broke a tie with Sidney Crosby, Doug Gilmour and Ray Bourque (all with 32). Imagn Images
For a second straight game to begin the Final, Sam Bennett has set a new record.
His 12th road goal of these playoffs is a new NHL record, surpassing Mark Scheifele's total of 11 in 2018. Getty Images
That's as wild an opening period in the Stanley Cup final that I can remember in all the years covering this. Everything was happening. Imagn Images
P1 0:00 - Oilers 3, Panthers 2
What a first period to Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final! Five goals and seven power plays later and the Oilers lead by one over the Panthers.
Stuart Skinner makes a critical save on Aleksander Barkov to end the frame. Florida will have some power play left to start the second.