Brad Marchand takes Panthers to within one win of 2nd straight Stanley Cup

Last night saw the first game of the final 2 of 3 in the Stanley Cup Final, as Game #5 was played in Edmonton with the series tied 2-2.

Game #5 is always a very important one, especially when the series is tied, as it pushes the losing team to the brink.

So it was absolutely a game to watch last night, and above all a game the Oilers had to win.

Unfortunately for them, they escaped by a score of 5-2, while the Panthers were very opportunistic at the right moments.

And the players who were opportunistic for Florida are those who have been so since the start of the playoffs.

Brad Marchand opened the scoring midway through the first frame with a superb individual effort that made Mattias Ehkolm look like a pee-wee defenseman.

BRAD MARCHAND The first goal of Game 5 is an absolute BEAUTY! #StanleyCup : @NHL_On_TNT & @SportsonMax https://t.co/4TuyIATi3T : @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ https://t.co/4KjbdjVctF pic.twitter.com/dYaKYlyFyv NHL (@NHL) June 15, 2025 None other than Sam Bennett then added to his tally late in the first period with his 15th (!!!) goal of the playoffs, and his 13th away from home.

SAM BENNETT CANT STOP SCORING What an unreal postseason hes currently having! #StanleyCup : @NHL_On_TNT & @SportsonMax https://t.co/4TuyIATi3T : @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ https://t.co/4KjbdjVctF pic.twitter.com/v9ruNHLcui NHL (@NHL) June 15, 2025 In short, after one period, it really looked like a copy-paste of Game #4, with the only difference being that the Panthers had scored one less goal.

We all knew that the Oilers were capable of coming back into this game, and they tried to do so in the second period, but to no avail.

We had to wait until the third period to see a third goal in this game, and unfortunately, it didnt come from the Oilers, as Brad Marchand added to it with another magnificent individual effort.

Brad Marchand is BUILT DIFFERENT #StanleyCup : @NHL_On_TNT & @SportsonMax https://t.co/4TuyIATi3T : @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ https://t.co/4KjbdjVctF pic.twitter.com/RLrD7nQaUV NHL (@NHL) June 15, 2025 Its his 10th goal of the playoffs, but more importantly, its his 6th of the finals in just five games.

He really got the ball rolling when it mattered most.

Thats now five goals in five games for Brad Marchand in the 2025 #StanleyCup Final.

He also scored five goals in the 2011 Final, when he captured the championship with Boston.

: @NHL_On_TNT & @SportsonMax https://t.co/ehfbKvA9Wg : @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ...

pic.twitter.com/zkg12IXMkY NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) June 15, 2025 The Oilers found themselves with a huge mountain to overcome in a very short space of time, and although Connor McDavid scored his first goal of the final moments later, it was too little too late for Edmonton.

97 with some sweeeet hands in tight #StanleyCup : @NHL_On_TNT & @SportsonMax https://t.co/4TuyIATi3T : @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ https://t.co/4KjbdjVctF pic.twitter.com/FA9itk6YMa NHL (@NHL) June 15, 2025 Sam Reinhart restored the Panthers three-goal lead less than a minute later.

Corey Perry closed the gap again, but Eetu Luostarinen sealed the game with a goal in an empty net.

In short, the Panthers won 5-2 and are now just one win away from a second consecutive Stanley Cup.

As for the Oilers, theyre on the brink of the abyss, and simply have no room for error.

See you Tuesday for Game #6 in Florida, starting at 8 p.m.

The Panthers lead the series 3-2.

Overtime Hes really incredible.

Brad Marchand in this #StanleyCup Final: 5 games 6 goals 2 game winners 37 years old.

pic.twitter.com/pU8sRC7y6k NHL (@NHL) June 15, 2025 Theyre too good on the road.

ROAD WARRIORS Playing away from home hasnt been an issue at all for the Cats this postseason! Dont miss Game 6 of the #StanleyCup Final between the @EdmontonOilers and @FlaPanthers on Tuesday, June 17 at 8p ET on @NHL_On_TNT , @SportsonMax , @Sportsnet and @TVASports ! pic.twitter.com/aFFEb6fhje NHL (@NHL) June 15, 2025 Here are the top scorers from Game #5.

This article first appeared on Dose.ca and was syndicated with permission..

This article has been shared from the original article on yardbarker, here is the link to the original article.