Panthers Dominate Game 3 to Take Control of the Stanley Cup Final
Game 3 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final was supposed to be a tightly contested affair between two evenly matched teams. What unfolded at Amerant Bank Arena on Monday night was anything but.
The Florida Panthers asserted their authority from the opening faceoff and never looked back, delivering a ruthless 6-1 dismantling of the Edmonton Oilers to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. From Brad Marchand’s record-setting early goal to a near-total shutdown of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the Panthers were clinical, composed, and completely in control.
Brad Marchand set the tone just 56 seconds into the game, becoming the oldest player in Stanley Cup Final history to score in each of the first three games. It was a record-breaking night for the 37-year-old, who continues to justify Florida’s March deadline acquisition.
Sam Bennett added his playoff-leading 14th goal, Carter Verhaeghe and Evan Rodrigues each scored and contributed an assist, and Aaron Ekblad and Sam Reinhart also found the net in a complete team performance. Florida’s special teams came alive as well, converting 3 of 11 power plays, while Sergei Bobrovsky made 32 stops to backstop the win.
For Edmonton, the night was a disaster. They were outplayed, outshot, and out-disciplined. Corey Perry scored their lone goal on the power play early in the second period, but it proved to be a false dawn. McDavid was limited to just two shots and no points, while Draisaitl failed to register a shot or assist—marking one of the few times this postseason that both stars were effectively neutralised.
Goaltender Stuart Skinner was pulled early in the third after conceding five goals on 23 shots, replaced by Calvin Pickard in mop-up duty. The Oilers also completely unravelled in the third period, with 16 penalties totalling 75 minutes, including eight 10-minute misconducts and a chaotic ending that did little more than compound their misery.
Key Turning Points
The Oilers showed brief signs of life when Perry cut the deficit to 2-1 just 1:40 into the second, but Reinhart’s goal just 80 seconds later deflated the visitors and reignited Florida’s momentum. From that moment on, it was one-way traffic. Bennett’s breakaway goal made it 4-1, and Ekblad’s blast from the point on the power play early in the third sealed Edmonton’s fate.
Florida now head into Game 4 with a chance to push Edmonton to the brink. The Panthers are playing with the confidence and cohesion of a team that knows what it takes to win the Cup. For the Oilers, a quick turnaround is essential—not just tactically, but mentally.
Betting Tip Review from America Bet
Our America Bet Match Previews 09/06/25 article offered bold predictions ahead of this contest. Here’s how our top 10 bets fared:
✅ Florida Panthers to win (Moneyline)
✅ Over 6.5 total goals (7 goals total)
✅ Brad Marchand anytime goalscorer
❌ Leon Draisaitl to score 1+ goal
❌ Connor McDavid to register 2+ assists
✅ Both teams to score in the first period (Goals from both teams)
✅ Game to go to overtime – No
✅ Florida Panthers to score first
❌ Exact score: Panthers 4-3 – Wrong
✅ Over 1.5 goals in the third period
Final Scorecard: 7 out of 10 predictions landed.
A very strong performance, especially with value bets like Marchand to score and over 6.5 goals both hitting with ease.
Our analysis nailed the Panthers’ home-ice momentum and predicted their stars would rise to the occasion—Marchand and Bennett proving especially potent. While the underperformance of Edmonton’s elite duo McDavid and Draisaitl hurt a couple of bets, the overall read on the game was spot-on.
Game 4 now looms large for the Oilers, who must regroup and reset to avoid a 3-1 series deficit. They’ll need much more discipline and a return to their free-flowing offence if they’re to challenge a Florida team now surging with belief.
Panthers fans will be hoping their side can replicate Monday night’s intensity and execution. If so, a second straight Stanley Cup title could be just two wins away.
Stay locked into America Bet for full previews, betting tips, and post-match analysis as the Finals unfold.
