Three takeaways: Gus Forsling bounces back in big way, Sam Bennett loves playing on road
These first two games of the Stanley Cup Final have been something.
The Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers are treating hockey fans to some incredibly entertaining hockey, with both teams earning a victory during the series' first two games at Rogers Place.
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On Friday, the was the Panthers evening the series at one game apiece with their thrilling 5-4 double overtime win on a goal that came off the stick of Brad Marchand.
Now the Cats will head back to South Florida quite pleased with the series split and will look to take a lead in the series when they host Game 3 on Monday.
Let's get to the takeaways from Game 2:
SECOND OT THE BETTER OT
For the second straight Stanley Cup Final game, Florida carried a one-goal lead into the third period, and for the second straight game, Edmonton forced the game to overtime.
In Game 2, the Panthers looked much better while trying to hold the lead, only allowing a goal in the final seconds on a great play and shot by Corey Perry.
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Unfortunately, that goal gave Edmonton a jolt of energy that carried into the overtime, where they outshot the Panthers 13-8 and forced Sergei Bobrovsky to make several big saves.
It was a different story in the second overtime, though, as Florida played much more sound defense while keeping possession and sustaining pressure.
'I didn't love our overtime,' Maurice said. 'We'll focus on that, and then, even the goal, I liked our second overtime period. I thought we were right there. They had some chances, we had chances, they're a really good team we're playing, and we're a really good team, but I didn't love that (first overtime), so that will be our place of growth here in the next couple of days.'
FORSLING BACK TO FORM
Gus Forsling is usually as steady as you can find on the blue line.
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He had a rough night during Florida's Game 1 loss to the Oilers, but boy did he bounce back on Friday.
While he didn't factor in on the scoresheet and actually finished with a minus-1 rating, Forsling made several elite plays with his stick to shut down high danger opportunities for Edmonton.
His ability to stay with Connor McDavid on multiple rush opportunities, whether with his body or with his stick, was a critical piece of why Florida was able to get out of Edmonton with a win.
'He's one of the elite skating defensemen in the league, and most elite skating defensemen have a completely offensive bent,' said Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice. 'If you skate that well as a young man, you're put into offensive situations, you become a power play guy. But he's has taken that skill and applied it to the defensive side of the game. To fully appreciate, you'd have to be down at ice level to see how fast Connor McDavid is and Leon Draisaitl, they've got a very fast team, but he excels in that game.'
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BENNETT THE ROAD WARRIOR
The Panthers are now 9-3 on the road during this postseason after their OT win in Game 2.
A big part of that success has been Sam Bennett.
On Friday, Bennett set a new NHL record for most road goals in a single playoff, netting his 12th away from Sunrise.
He's now scored in five straight road games, racking up seven goals and nine points during those away contests.
'We've started and played most of our playoff lives this year on the road, and then there is no part of his game that changes home to road,' Maurice said of Bennett. 'He's not intimidated by anything. He's not a home performer, and he's not a match-up guy. He'll play against anybody.'
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Photo caption: Jun 6, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) skates past Florida Panthers defenseman Gustav Forsling (42) during double overtime in game two of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place. (Perry Nelson-Imagn Images)
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