Oilers' Corey Perry Sends 'Tough' Message After 2OT Loss to Panthers
Oilers' Corey Perry Sends 'Tough' Message After 2OT Loss to Panthers originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Edmonton Oilers came close to taking a 2-0 series lead in their Stanley Cup Final rematch against the Florida Panthers, but Friday night's Game 2 ended on the wrong side of things for the challengers.
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Despite Corey Perry's equalizer with under 18 seconds left in regulation, the Oilers couldn't close it out as Florida's Brad Marchand scored in double overtime to tie the series at 1-1.
Now the series shifts to Sunrise, Florida, with the Panthers taking home-ice advantage from the Oilers just two games into the series.
Edmonton's veterans, however, chose not to dwell on what could have been and instead focused on what's next when asked about the loss by reporters.
Perry, who has now appeared in five of the last six Stanley Cup Finals, showed little frustration after the loss.
"We lost with 0.4 seconds left a couple series ago. Those are tough," Perry said. "You know, you go home. Yeah, you can think about it. But tomorrow you get some rest and get on the plane and be ready for Game 3."
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Perry said the Panthers deserve credit for pushing back in a series both teams expected to be difficult.
"(The Panthers) are a good team. I keep saying they are a good team. They're going to push us to the max, and we're going to push them to the max," Perry said. "It's frustrating right now, but we're in the Final for a reason."
Edmonton Oilers right wing Corey Perry reacts after scoring a goal in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final.Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images
Leon Draisaitl echoed that mindset after logging a goal and an assist in the loss.
"Every game is tight at this time of year, two really good teams," Draisaitl said. "It's never going to be easy. Regroup and move on."
Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final is on Monday at 8 p.m. ET at Amerant Bank Arena.
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Related: Sam Bennett's Two-Word Reaction to Viral Photo with Brad Marchand at Panthers Practice
Related: P.K. Subban Makes Bold Oilers Statement Amid Stanley Cup Push
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
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