Four takeaways from Oilers 6-3 victory over Panthers: statement win in Sunrise

Jack Roslovic scored twice, Evan Bouchard recorded three assists, and Stuart Skinner made 35 saves as the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Florida Panthers 6-3 in a high-stakes Stanley Cup rematch at Amerant Bank Arena. The victory snapped a three-game winless streak and gave Edmonton a 3-3-1 record on their grueling seven-game road trip.

The Oilers, returning to Florida for the first time since watching the Panthers celebrate their second consecutive championship last June, delivered a performance that mixed early dominance with resilient third-period defense. Connor McDavid and Matt Savoie added empty-net goals to seal the victory and provide Edmonton with a psychological boost against the team that has ended their championship aspirations in back-to-back seasons.

Roslovic’s scorching form sets the tone in Cup final rematch

Jack Roslovic continues to prove his worth as one of Edmonton’s most consistent offensive threats, and his performance against Florida exemplified his growing confidence. The forward opened the scoring just 25 seconds into the contest, the fastest goal to start a game for the Oilers this season, by flicking a seemingly harmless shot from the half-wall that somehow squeezed through Sergei Bobrovsky’s pads at the right post.

Florida tied the score shortly after through Anton Lundell, but Roslovic struck again just 36 seconds later, beating Bobrovsky cleanly with a wrist shot from the right face-off circle. The quick response prevented the Panthers from gaining any momentum and established Edmonton’s control over the game’s narrative. Roslovic now has six goals in his past eight games and nine overall, demonstrating a scoring touch that has become increasingly vital for an Oilers team navigating injuries and lineup inconsistencies.

“It is always hard to play this team so it was good to fight one out and get home,” Roslovic said after the game. “We wanted to play our game, have one last hard-working game on this road trip and find a 3-3-1 record and get home on a good note. There were a lot of great individual efforts.”

His performance marked the 50th multi-point game of his career, a milestone that reflects his evolution from a depth contributor to a legitimate top-six option. With each passing game, Roslovic is proving that his offensive surge is no fluke but rather the result of improved positioning, chemistry with linemates, and a shooter’s mentality that keeps opposing goaltenders uncomfortable.

Backend brilliance from Bouchard and Ekholm drives offensive depth

While Edmonton’s star forwards understandably draw most of the attention, the contributions from defensemen Evan Bouchard and Mattias Ekholm against Florida demonstrated the team’s growing depth from the blue line. Bouchard finished with three primary assists, showcasing his vision and puck-moving ability that has become a cornerstone of Edmonton’s transition game.

Ekholm added a goal and two assists, including a crucial marker at 13:58 of the first period that gave Edmonton a 3-1 lead. The Swedish defender capitalized on a rebound off an Adam Henrique shot, finding himself alone in the slot with time to pick his spot. His ability to join the rush at opportune moments while maintaining defensive responsibility has provided Knoblauch’s system with a versatile weapon.

This defensive production addresses one of Edmonton’s historical weaknesses: over-reliance on McDavid and Leon Draisaitl for offensive generation. When the backend can contribute at this level, it stretches opposing penalty kills, creates second-wave attacks, and forces opponents to defend the entire ice surface rather than keying in on Edmonton’s superstars.

Bouchard’s three-point night extended his team lead in defenseman scoring and reinforced his status as one of the NHL’s most dangerous offensive blueliners. His ability to quarterback the power play, stretch the ice with long-range passes, and find shooting lanes from the point makes him a constant threat that opposing teams must account for at all times.

Stuart Skinner’s third-period heroics preserve crucial road win

After building a 4-1 lead midway through the second period, Edmonton watched Florida mount a comeback that brought the score to 4-3 by the end of the frame. Sam Reinhart’s power-play goal at 13:30 completed the Panthers’ two-goal rally, setting up a tense final 20 minutes where one mistake could have erased Edmonton’s hard work.

Stuart Skinner stood tall when his team needed him most, stopping all 10 shots he faced in the third period and denying several high-danger scoring chances that could have tied the game. His positioning, rebound control, and composure under pressure prevented Florida from completing the comeback and allowed Edmonton to protect their one-goal lead until the empty-netters sealed the victory.

“I think it was massive, it takes a lot of guts by our team here because it was a really long road trip with a lot of travel, and a lot of really tough teams to play against,” Skinner said. “To come out and get a win … that’s really important. This win was huge for us.”

Skinner’s performance came under increased scrutiny given Edmonton’s struggles away from Rogers Place. Entering Saturday’s contest, the Oilers had just four road wins in regulation, with three additional victories coming in overtime or shootouts. His 35-save effort provided the type of goaltending that championship-caliber teams require on the road, especially against elite competition like Florida.

The save sequence midway through the third period, where Skinner denied consecutive quality chances from the Panthers’ top line, proved particularly crucial. Those stops maintained Edmonton’s momentum and prevented the Panthers from capturing the emotional energy that often fuels third-period comebacks.

Psychological victory salvages road trip and builds momentum

Beyond the two points in the standings, Edmonton’s victory in Sunrise carried significant psychological weight. The Panthers had eliminated the Oilers in consecutive Stanley Cup Finals, creating a mental hurdle that Edmonton needed to clear. Winning in the same building where Florida celebrated their championship last June sends a message that the gap between these two franchises may be narrowing.

Coach Kris Knoblauch emphasized the importance of finishing the road trip on a positive note. “It was long, it was grueling, and I thought our effort the past two games was probably our best,” he said, referencing the overtime loss in Tampa Bay and the regulation win in Florida. “It’s not easy coming here, to Tampa Bay and Florida, and playing those two teams. But I thought our guys were really focused and did the little things we needed to do.”

The victory also snapped a three-game winless streak that had seen Edmonton drop valuable points against conference rivals. At 10-9-5, the Oilers still trail several Pacific Division competitors, but salvaging a .500 record on a seven-game trip that included stops in Tampa Bay, Florida, Carolina, and other difficult venues provides a foundation for improved play.

Key factors that made the difference

• Special teams balance: While Florida scored on the power play, Edmonton successfully killed a crucial third-period penalty that could have tied the game
• Depth scoring: Goals from Roslovic, Ekholm, and Podkolzin reduced pressure on McDavid and Draisaitl
• Fast start: Scoring 25 seconds into the game forced Florida to chase from the opening shift
• Defensive structure: After giving up two quick goals in the second, Edmonton tightened their gaps and limited high-danger chances

The Oilers now return home to Rogers Place for a Tuesday matchup against Dallas, carrying the confidence of having solved the team that has haunted their championship dreams. While one regular-season win doesn’t erase two consecutive Final losses, it provides tangible evidence that Edmonton’s system and execution can succeed against Florida’s structure.

For the Panthers, the loss highlighted concerns about goaltending depth and defensive health. Sergei Bobrovsky’s early exit after allowing four goals on 17 shots raised questions about his consistency, while Aaron Ekblad’s late scratch with an upper-body injury added to an already lengthy injury list that includes Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, and several key role players.

What this means for the championship picture remains uncertain, but Edmonton has at least shown they can compete with—and defeat—the NHL’s reigning champions on their home ice. That psychological edge could prove invaluable if these two teams meet again when the stakes are higher.