After two tightly contested games to kick off the Stanley Cup Final, Game 3 was a different story. The Panthers secured a commanding 6-1 victory over the Oilers, putting them ahead 2-1 in the series.

Florida wasted no time getting on the board, with Anton Lundell setting up Brad Marchand for a goal just 56 seconds into the game. This early goal set the tone for the rest of the night, as the Panthers outplayed the Oilers both physically and mentally.

A standout moment came in the second period when Sam Bennett scored his league-leading 14th goal of the playoffs. Bennett's impressive goal, combined with the Panthers' dominant performance, left the Oilers struggling to keep up.

One of the most puzzling aspects of the game was Edmonton's lack of discipline, as they racked up 85 penalty minutes throughout the night. This lack of composure was evident in their gameplay, with unnecessary penalties and unforced errors plaguing the team.

Despite showing some fight, particularly in the form of aggressive play and penalties, the Oilers failed to make an impact where it counted most. With key players like Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid struggling to make an impact, Edmonton faces an uphill battle heading into Game 4.

Panthers' Dominance in Depth

Heading into the series, it was clear that the Panthers had a significant advantage in depth over the Oilers. While Edmonton's star players had shone in the first two games, Game 3 saw the Panthers' depth players step up. With six different goal scorers and 12 players recording points, Florida's depth proved to be a game-changer.

Oilers' Lack of Composure

Edmonton's performance in Game 3 was marred by a lack of composure, resulting in a record-breaking number of penalty minutes. The Oilers' inability to maintain discipline cost them throughout the game, highlighting a key weakness that needs to be addressed moving forward.

Defensive Excellence by Florida

While the Oilers struggled to find their footing, the Panthers put on a defensive clinic, limiting high-danger scoring chances and shutting down Edmonton's star players. McDavid and Draisaitl were held in check, unable to replicate their previous success against a resolute Panthers defense.

As the series progresses, Edmonton must regroup and find a way to counter Florida's depth and defensive prowess to avoid falling further behind.

Source: CBS Sports