8:50 p.m. ET
The Panthers have bounced back, with two straight goals.
They tied the game at 1-1 on a goal from Sam Bennett at 10:49.
The goal was challenged by the Oilers for goalie interference by Bennett, who deflected the puck before crashing into Stuart Skinner. After the review, it was ruled a good goal because Bennett was tripped.
Edmonton was assessed a minor penalty for the unsuccessful challenge.
Brad Marchand scored on the power play, wristing a shot past a prone Skinner.
Now we have settled into a game.
Let’s not forget, the Panthers are the heavyweight champions of the NHL for a reason.
They were staggered by the Draisaitl goal, which was a vicious body blow in the game’s second minute, but they have found their footing and the game has settled into the thrust and parry affair we all expected.
Evander Kane plastered Aaron Ekblad into the end boards
Bennett had a breakaway, only to be denied by Skinner.
Corey Perry of the Oilers took a high-sticking penalty in the neutral zone at 6:53 to negate a scoring opportunity for his team.
Connor McDavid, who added an extensive penalty-killing load to his arsenal this season, made three solid plays on this kill to deny the Panthers momentum.
By the way, that was Draisaitl’s first career Stanley Cup Final goal and it came just 1:06 into the first period, the fastest opening goal of a Final in nearly 50 years and the sixth fastest all time.
The Oilers looked to have a power play but Perry took another penalty four seconds in, but then Florida’s Ekblad took one so now Edmonton has a four-on-three.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
