For the first time since Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, the Edmonton Oilers returned to Amerant Bank Arena to battle the Florida Panthers. Just like that game, Florida came away with the victory. Three minutes into the contest, a fight between A.J. Greer and Corey Perry set the tone for the game. The Oilers took six stick infractions, including two in the final four minutes, which was too much to overcome. Even though the Panthers went 0-for-6 on the man advantage, they scored twice in the third period and defeated the Oilers 4-3. Here’s your game recap.
Game Recap
Florida thought they opened the scoring on the power play, but the play was deemed offside upon video review, so we remained scoreless. Then, Florida got that one back 12:28 into the first period. Uvis Balinskis threw the puck on the net, which ricocheted off the Oilers’ defender and past goaltender Stuart Skinner for his fourth of the season.
A few minutes later, Edmonton tied the game on Brett Kulak’s seventh of the season. Vasily Podkolzin stopped and found Kulak with a backhand pass, and his quick wrister beat goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. Therefore, this game was tied at one heading into the second period.
Related: Projected Lineups for the Oilers vs Panthers – 2/27/25
The Panthers retook the lead 15:30 into the second period. Aaron Ekblad’s initial shot was redirected by Anton Lundell and past Edmonton’s netminder for his 15th of the season.
Then, Leon Draisaitl tied the game for his league-leading 44th goal exactly two minutes later. He out-muscled the Panthers defender and drove hard to the net, flicking the puck upstairs, and over Bobrovsky’s glove for a great individual effort. Just like the first period, this game was tied heading into the final frame.
The Panthers once again retook the lead 11:08 into the third period. Greer’s drop pass landed on the tape of Nate Schmidt, and he beat Skinner glove side for his fifth of the season. Then, Florida extended their lead 13:51 into the period. Carter Verhaeghe’s initial shot was blocked, but he got his own rebound and buried it for his 16th of the season.
The Oilers responded 16:35 into the final frame courtesy of Zach Hyman. The puck was thrown on the net, and on the ensuing scramble in front, Hyman jammed it in for his 20th of the season. However, that wasn’t enough as Florida held on for the 4-3 win and handed Edmonton their fifth straight loss.
Skinner stopped 32 of 36 shots for an .889 save percentage (SV%) in defeat, while Bobrovsky stopped 23 of 26 shots for an .885 SV% in the win. The Panthers continue their five-game homestand on Saturday (March 1) against the Calgary Flames. The same day, the Oilers conclude their five-game road trip against the Carolina Hurricanes.
