Player Grades: Florida Panthers Smother Edmonton Oilers in 5-2 Victory
After four intense and offense-heavy matchups in the Stanley Cup Final, the Florida Panthers delivered a masterclass in defensive hockey, suffocating the Edmonton Oilers in a grinding 5-2 win.
This was the lowest-pace game the Oilers have played all season, with very few high-quality scoring opportunities.
In what was arguably the toughest defensive wall the Oilers have encountered this year, the Panthers shut down their attack at nearly every turn. And when they did manage a scoring chance, goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky was there to shut the door.
A key turning point? Two uncharacteristic errors from the usually dependable Mattias Ekholm. He was involved in two goals against during even strength in the first period — an anomaly, considering he had only one such miscue in his first five postseason games in 2025.
Statistically, Edmonton tallied nine Grade A chances, while Florida had seven. However, when looking at the more dangerous “5-alarm” chances, Florida led 6-4.
Cult of Hockey Player Ratings
Connor McDavid – 6/10
Persistent but stifled. Had a 2-on-1 opportunity early but didn’t get a shot off. Created a dangerous chance after regaining the puck in the corner and feeding Brown. Late in the first, he made a great defensive stick play. Nearly scored on a second-period power play with a shot off the post. Later scored a dazzling goal to end Bobrovsky’s shutout — but was at fault for allowing a pass that led to Florida’s fourth goal.
GAS: ES +3/-1; ST +1/-0
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – 7/10
Edmonton’s top performer up front. Continued his relentless effort. Made a crucial PK clearance after Bouchard broke his stick. Nearly converted on a deflection early in the second and hit the post late with the goalie pulled. Played a key role screening the goalie on Edmonton’s late goal.
GAS: ES +2/-0; ST +1/-0
Connor Brown – 6/10
Another high-effort player. Broke in early but shot into Bobrovsky’s glove. Set up a 2-on-1 for McDavid and RNH with a sharp pass.
GAS: ES +2/-0; ST +0/-0
Leon Draisaitl – 3/10
Appears to be running on fumes. Struggled in the first, missed a key shot on the power play early in the second, and took a poor slashing penalty. He had a brief surge when the goalie was pulled, but it was too late.
GAS: ES +2/-1; ST +0/-0
Vasily Podkolzin – 3/10
Physical and energetic as usual, but had a costly lapse. He failed to cover Marchand on a center-ice faceoff, leading directly to a goal.
GAS: ES +0/-1; ST +0/-0
Corey Perry – 6/10
Nearly pulled off another vintage Perry moment, just missing on a slot chance in the second. Lost a key faceoff battle on Florida’s third goal but later scored from distance.
GAS: ES +2/-2; ST +2/-0
Adam Henrique – 5/10
Steady on defense and tipped a Grade A shot on net. However, won only 5 of 17 faceoffs.
GAS: ES +1/-0; ST +0/-0
Trent Frederic – 3/10
Largely invisible. Could be time to sit him for Kapanen.
GAS: ES +0/-0; ST +0/-0
Jeff Skinner – 5/10
One of the few with some spark. Fired a sharp-angle shot in the second that Henrique deflected for a high-quality chance.
GAS: ES +1/-0; ST +0/-0
Mattias Janmark – 3/10
Did some solid work, but a costly error defined his night — puck-watching on Florida’s second goal allowed Bennett to score.
GAS: ES +0/-1; ST +0/-0
Evander Kane – 4/10
Drove the net with force and drew a penalty, but his overall impact was limited.
GAS: ES +0/-0; ST +0/-0
Viktor Arvidsson – 4/10
Beat out a key icing in the second period, but otherwise had little offensive influence.
GAS: ES +0/-0; ST +0/-0
Evan Bouchard – 5/10
Below par. Turned the puck over early in the second, then blocked a shot to recover. Played on an ineffective power play. Got burned on Florida’s third goal, but later made a brilliant assist on McDavid’s score.
GAS: ES +2/-2; ST +0/-0
Brett Kulak – 6/10
Started a rush that led to a quality chance with a solid defensive play. Stayed quiet — which is often good for a defenseman.
GAS: ES +1/-0; ST +0/-1
Jake Walman – 4/10
Played hard defensively until Marchand beat him cleanly on Florida’s third goal.
GAS: ES +0/-0; ST +0/-0
Mattias Ekholm – 2/10
Had a night to forget. Bit the wrong way on Marchand’s breakaway goal, then failed to get the puck deep on Florida’s second goal — both sequences led to goals against. Hustled on McDavid’s goal but accidentally screened his own goalie on the fourth.
GAS: ES +1/-4; ST +0/-0
Troy Stecher – 4/10
Nervy start with an icing, but settled down. Allowed a dangerous pass on a Reinhart scoring chance. May need to give way to Klingberg for more offense next game.
GAS: ES +0/-1; ST +0/-0
Darnell Nurse – 4/10
Missed his assignment on Reinhart’s first-period shot but otherwise solid.
GAS: ES +0/-1; ST +0/-0
Calvin Pickard – 3/10
Couldn’t deliver timely saves. Beaten cleanly by Marchand on a breakaway and again shortly after. Did stop one of Reinhart’s better chances but conceded three goals on six Grade A shots by that point. Not fully to blame, but not the answer either.
Faced 7 Grade A shots, allowed 4 goals.
