With their season hanging by a thread, the Florida Panthers once again thrived under pressure. For the first time in franchise history, the Panthers secured a win in the Stanley Cup Final, rallying to defeat the Vegas Golden Knights 3-2 in overtime in Game 3.
Carter Verhaeghe scored the game-winner 4:27 into overtime with a wrist shot from the slot, breathing life into Florida’s championship hopes. The Panthers still trail 2-1 in the series, but their overtime prowess remains intact, as they improved to 7-0 in extra sessions during this playoff run.
“We’re the Cats,” Verhaeghe said after his fourth career playoff overtime goal. “We just don’t quit, which shows how resilient this team is.”
The Panthers have been more successful in overtime than in regulation during these playoffs. Matthew Tkachuk, who tied the game with just over two minutes left in regulation, said the team simply keeps fighting.
“We don’t know exactly how, but we’re going to find a way to get there,” Tkachuk said.
After Florida pulled goalie Sergei Bobrovsky for an extra attacker, Tkachuk’s late goal sent the game to overtime. The Panthers then killed off a Vegas power play to start the extra period, and Verhaeghe’s goal clinched Florida’s first-ever win in a Stanley Cup Final game after going 0-6 in their previous attempts.
“I had a little space, took my time, and thankfully, it went in,” Verhaeghe said.
Game 4 is set for Saturday night in Florida.
The Panthers’ poise under pressure continues to shine through, as head coach Paul Maurice improved to 23-7 in playoff overtime games.
Bobrovsky made 25 saves for Florida, while Vegas goalie Adin Hill stopped 20 shots but couldn’t stop the lone shot he faced in overtime.
“Normally, we expect to get the save there and move on,” said Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy. “But they’ve got good players, and they made a play.”
Brandon Montour also scored for Florida, while Jonathan Marchessault and Mark Stone netted power-play goals for the Golden Knights.
Marchessault’s goal was his 13th in the last 13 playoff games and his third with the man advantage in this series. However, it wasn’t enough to give Vegas a 3-0 series lead.
“I didn’t mind our game,” Cassidy said. “They made a play in overtime, and sometimes that happens.”
Tkachuk’s dramatic goal with 2:13 left in the third period leveled the score and shifted the momentum back to the Panthers. Florida then faced a scare when Gustav Forsling was penalized for tripping with just 11.2 seconds remaining, but they survived the late Vegas power play.
“Nobody cares how we got here,” Tkachuk said. “It’s a 2-1 series now.”
Despite trailing 2-1 in the series, the Panthers are holding onto hope. Historically, 11 teams have come back to win the Stanley Cup after trailing 2-1 at this stage, and Florida remains optimistic after overcoming long odds throughout the playoffs.
“We found our legs a bit more tonight,” said Florida’s Sam Reinhart.
Meanwhile, despite its hot start, Vegas couldn’t close out the game. The Golden Knights made their own history, becoming the first team since the 1980 New York Islanders to score two power-play goals in three consecutive Cup Final games.
But Florida’s resilience proved too much as they found a way to stay alive in the series.
Around the Rink:
- Florida’s 0-6 record in the Stanley Cup Final before Thursday paled compared to St. Louis’ record of 13 straight losses in Cup Final games.
- The Panthers’ last home game in the Final was on June 10, 1996, when Colorado’s Uwe Krupp scored in the third overtime to complete a sweep for the Avalanche.
- Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, NBA legend Charles Barkley, and Dolphins icon Dan Marino—who served as the celebrity drummer—were all in attendance to cheer on the Panthers.
