The Florida Panthers played host to Game 2 of the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Finals in Sunrise, Florida on Monday evening. After a stellar performance in Game 1, Sergei Bobrovsky was able to deny the Oilers once again to allow Florida to take a 2-0 Stranglehold on the series. Evan Rodrigues’ two goals launched the Panthers to within two wins of lifting Lord Stanley’s Cup.
The Florida Panthers currently have the odds in their favor. Only 9% of teams that have ever taken a 2-0 series advantage in the Stanley Cup Finals have failed to take home Lord Stanley’s prize after the series.
Edmonton Oilers Slip One Past Bob in First
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The Edmonton Oilers were the only team that managed to score in the first period of Game 2 at the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Finals. Defenseman Mattias Ekholm slipped a puck through the arm of Bobrovsky for the lead in the series for the Oilers midway through the first period on their first shot of the game. That would be the only goaltending mistake the Russian netminder made on the evening for Florida.
Florida battled back but were unable to solve Stuart Skinner allowing Edmonton to enter the first intermission with a 1-0 lead.
Mikkola’s Goal Changes Course of 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Finals
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The Panthers were unable to capitalize on early man-advantage opportunities in the second period, however, the Cats dominated most of the play. Florida’s biggest issue was shooting themselves in their own skates by taking penalties while on the powerplay. Typically not a recipe for success, my dear friends.
Defenseman Niko Mikkola scored a little before the midway point of the second period off a fantastic drop pass from fellow Finnish native Anton Lundell to tie the score at 1-1. The massive goal sending Amarent Bank Arena into a frenzy is only the second postseason tally of Mikkola’s career.
Florida ended the period with a 22-7 shot advantage, however, the scoreboard was still tied at 1 after 40 minutes of regulation play.
That Period When Evan Rodrigues Went Beast Mode
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The third period was one of the things that made Stanley Cup playoff hockey great. Both teams were rocking from the drop of the puck. Florida’s captain Aleksander Barkov received an elbow to the chin from Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl that took the All-Star out of commission for the rest of Game 2.
However, Evan Rodrigues stepped up with two third-period goals kick-starting the South Florida victory party on Monday night. With the score tied at 1, Rodrigues fired a shot that deflected over the shoulder of Oilers goalie Stu Skinner into the top left corner of the net.
With a 2-1 lead and Edmonton losing their composure after a frustrating two nights in Florida, the Panthers finally cashed in on the powerplay with Rodrigues tipping a centering feed past Skinner with 7:34 remaining. Edmonton pulled Skinner with 6 minutes left in the final period.
Florida assistant captain Aaron Ekblad sealed a Game 2 win with an empty net goal at 17:32 of the third period to finish the scoring at 4-1 in Game 2 of the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Finals.
The venue now shifts to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada for the next two games in the best-of-seven series.
About The Author
Christopher Babos is a genuine sports & entertainment journalist with diverse credentials in writing, broadcasting, and digital media. He can be located on X for real-time takes (@CBabosWrites). With various roles in the sports industry over two decades, Chris can speak with authority on the topics he covers.
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