The Florida Panthers beat the Vegas Golden Knights 3-2 in overtime on Thursday night in game three of the Stanley Cup Finals. Verhaeghe’s fourth game-winner keeps Florida off the ropes, as they now trail 2-1 in the series. Florida looks to even up the series at home before they head back to Las Vegas on Saturday night.
Game Recap
Back on home ice, Brandon Montour got the crowd going with an early goal. With a snipe from the high slot, Florida took the first lead of the game. Following the goal, the Panthers continued building momentum on the power play despite not scoring. Later in the period, Florida’s Marc Staal took a tripping penalty that led to a Vegas power play. During the power play, both teams got assessed additional penalties leading to 4-on-3 hockey. In this time, Mark Stone scored to tie the game at one which would lead to the end of the first.
The second period saw many penalties, with each side receiving three power plays. Vegas would once again capitalize on their chances taking a 2-1 lead in the frame. Their second goal, courtesy of Jonathan Marchessault, was off a beautiful back door feed from Jack Eichel. The former Panther tucked the puck away to push the Panthers back on their heels. He now has 13 playoff goals in 13 games. Marchessault is the third skater in the last 30 years to score a goal in each of his first three games of a Stanley Cup Final, joining Jake Guentzel (2017) and Steve Yzerman (1997).
With the threat of being down 3-0 looming, Florida needed a big goal in the third to tie the game up. Despite controlling the majority of play, the Panthers struggled to find the back of the net. They elected for an empty net late to supply an extra attacker. This would pay off as with a little over two minutes remaining, trade acquisition Matthew Tkachuk would tie the game. His goal from a scramble in front of the net sent the game into overtime. Tkachuk (1-1-2) recorded his seventh multi-point game of the postseason. Only Carter Verhaeghe (nine) and Aleksander Barkov (eight) have registered more multi-point playoff games in Panthers history.
Late in the third period, with time expiring, Gustav Forsling put Florida into a precarious situation by taking a penalty. Being on the penalty kill to begin overtime was tough for the Panthers, but they overcame the adversity. After killing the penalty, the crowd was pumped and momentum slowly swayed into the Cats favor. On a rush the opposite direction, Carter Verhaeghe scored a game-winning goal 4:27 into the extra frame to give Florida their first ever win in the Stanley Cup. Verhaeghe is the only player in NHL history to score multiple overtime goals in consecutive postseasons.
Matthew Tkachuk: “The gutsiest win I’ve ever been a part of.”
FL Teams Star of the Game
Carter Verhaeghe was clutch in game three. Not only did he have the assist to send the game to overtime, but he had the game-winner. Verhaeghe’s +2 performance helps Florida retain a fighting chance at winning the Cup. Not only this, but his play also gave the Panthers their first franchise win in the Stanley Cup Final.
Up Next
Florida remains at home for game four which is to be played on Saturday night. Puck drop between the Golden Knights and Panthers is scheduled for 8:00 PM EST.
This marks the 24th consecutive Stanley Cup Final that will require at least five games dating to 1999. Game 5 will be on Tuesday night.