Panthers Collapse in Game 1 After Rare Playoff Letdown
For nearly three years under head coach Paul Maurice, the Florida Panthers held a unique badge of playoff honor: they were nearly unbeatable when leading after either of the first two periods.
That streak came to a stunning halt on Wednesday night.
The defending Stanley Cup champions saw a 3-2 third-period lead vanish in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, as the Edmonton Oilers stormed back to snatch a 4-3 overtime win. It was a rare and sobering collapse for a team known for its composure under playoff pressure.
A Game of Two Halves
Florida controlled much of the game early, with Sam Bennett leading the charge. Bennett netted two goals — including a record-setting 12th goal of the postseason, cementing his legacy in Panthers' franchise history.
But what started as confident turned cautious.
“Just not let up. Don’t sit back,” said Bennett after the game. “We’ve been really good all year at not sitting back with the lead, and for whatever reason, we sat back tonight.”
That conservatism cost them dearly. The Oilers, smelling opportunity, pushed the tempo. Their persistence paid off, tying the game in regulation before sealing it in dramatic overtime fashion.
What’s Next for Florida?
This wasn’t just a loss — it was a crack in the armor. A psychological blow in a series where momentum matters as much as goals. But Florida is a battle-tested team. Coach Maurice has weathered storms before, and his squad is full of seasoned playoff veterans.
Game 2 will now be a litmus test for resilience.
Can the Panthers return to form, or did the Oilers just find the blueprint to break them?
By ✍️ Yorlinda Ramìrez - MicuPost Team
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