Florida Panthers Triumph Overtime in Game 3 of Stanley Cup Final
The Florida Panthers remain undefeated in overtime during this postseason, securing a 3-2 victory against the Vegas Golden Warriors in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe clinched the win with a wraparound shot past Golden Knights goalie Adin Hill just 4 minutes and 27 seconds into overtime. The Golden Warriors' 2-0 series lead has now been reduced to 2-1, with Game 4 to be played in Florida on Saturday.
Matthew Tkachuk, the Panthers' left winger, expressed their resilience, saying, "The haters didn't believe in us before the Final started, but we're that kind of team that knows what our end goal is. It doesn't matter how we get here; it's a 2-1 series."
The Panthers' first win in seven Stanley Cup games came after they were swept by the Colorado Avalanche during their only Stanley Cup Final appearance in 1996, and they dropped the first two games of the 2023 finals in Las Vegas.
Another Overtime Victor for the Cardiac Cats
The Panthers have won ten consecutive overtime games, including seven this postseason. They managed to tie the game in the third period and force overtime after being down 2-1.
Tkachuk, the heart and soul of the Panthers, was crucial once more during this postseason. He notched an assist on the Panthers' first goal in the first period by defenseman Brandon Montour and later scored an equalizer with less than 2 minutes remaining in regulation.
Tkachuk boasts 11 goals during this postseason, with 7 scored in the third period or overtime.
Verhaeghe described their team as the 'Cats', admitting, "We haven't got the luckiest lives, but it's awesome. It shows how great our team is and the guys in our team have no quit in them."
Verhaeghe, who is known for his overtime prowess, added another game-winning overtime goal to his career tally.
Florida coach Paul Maurice explained their team's collective confidence:
Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky played exceptionally well with 25 saves, much improved from his performance in the first two games of the series. "Playoff Bob" was nearly perfect in the third period and overtime, allowing only 2 goals in Game 3.
Marchessault Remains Hot in Defeat
Golden Warriors winger Jonathan Marchessault scored another power-play goal during the second period. In the finals, Marchessault now has four goals, with three coming during power plays.
Marchessault has been extremely productive since the start of the second round, scoring 13 goals in his last 13 games. Captain Mark Stone also contributed a power-play goal in the first period.
Golden Warriors head coach Bruce Cassidy remained optimistic, stating, "I didn't hate our game. They made a play in overtime. Things like that happen from time to time."
The Golden Warriors had their first loss after holding a lead entering the third period for the first time in 11 games this postseason. Prior to Game 3's letdown, Cassidy boasted a 25-1 record in the playoffs when his team was ahead at the end of the second period.
Hill was one of the best goalies in the first two games in Las Vegas, making several spectacular saves. Though he allowed one goal during the third period, Verhaeghe found a way to sneak the puck by him in overtime for the game-winning goal. Hill made 20 saves in Game 3, and the Panthers generated only 23 total shots against him, with the Golden Warriors' defense playing impressively, aside from a couple of miscues.
"Give them credit," said center Jack Eichel. "They stuck around, they found a goal at the end, and then they won in overtime. Losing a lead when you're ahead a few minutes from the end isn't ideal, but it happens. Nobody ever said it was going to be easy."
Wagering on Game 4
With a 2-1 series lead, the Golden Warriors are just two wins away from claiming their first Stanley Cup. A win in Game 4 would give them a commanding 3-1 advantage, with a chance to clinch the cup on their home ice in Sin City. Game 5 is scheduled for Tuesday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
DraftKings oddsmakers modified their series price after the Panthers finally secured a win. The Golden Warriors still hold the upper hand as betting favorites to win the finals at -260 odds. The Panthers, considered underdogs, are currently priced at +120 odds to win the Stanley Cup.
Historically, teams that trail 2-1 in the NHL playoffs are only 11-44 to initiate a successful comeback and take home the Stanley Cup.
The Golden Warriors currently offer +260 odds to win the Stanley Cup in five games, or with a 4-1 series score. Winning the championship in six games, or a 4-2 series score, pays +290 odds. If this series goes the distance, the Golden Warriors are +350 odds to win the Stanley Cup in a 4-3 series finale.
Support the Panthers at odds of +425 to clinch the Stanley Cup in a seven-game series, or a 4-3 final score. If you believe the Panthers will win the next three games consecutively to claim the title, a +600 payout is available for a 4-2 series outcome.
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