The Panthers’ Vladimir Tarasenko, Sam Bennett and Aleksander Barkov scored 6:19 apart in the second period to break open a 1-1 game on Thursday, and Sergei Bobrovsky was once again exceptional early and finished with 32 saves for his 15th win in the playoffs. Florida is now 7-2 on the road in the postseason.
The Panthers had to fend off a third-period rally from the Oilers when Edmonton got goals from Philip Broberg and Ryan McLeod. Bobrovsky then robbed McLeod point-blank in the final minutes.
Warren Foegele also scored for the Oilers, and Sam Reinhart had the Panthers’ other goal.
Teams that own a 3-0 series lead in a best-of-seven Stanley Cup Final own an all-time record of 27-1 (.964). The Toronto Maple Leafs rallied from a 3-0 hole against the Detroit Red Wings in 1942.
“It is disappointing being down 3-0. We’ve got to let that reality sink in,” Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner said after the game. “I’m not too sure what the stats are on coming back from it, but if anyone can do it, it’s the Oil.”
“The job’s not finished,” added the Panthers’ Bennett. “We’ve got a lot of work to do.”
GO FURTHER
How the Panthers pulled within a win of a Stanley Cup sweep of the Oilers, Connor McDavid: 5 takeaways
