****

The Edmonton Oilers came agonizingly close to securing their second straight home win in the Stanley Cup Final, which would have given them significant control heading into the away games. However, Brad Marchand of the Florida Panthers dashed those hopes with a breakaway goal at 8:05 of double overtime, resulting in a 5-4 defeat for the Oilers in Game 2 on Friday night, tying the series.

The deciding moment unfolded after Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm missed a one-timer, allowing Marchand a clear path. Despite a vigorous backcheck from Leon Draisaitl, the puck managed to slip through goalie Stuart Skinner's legs. Veteran winger Corey Perry succinctly summed up the loss: "It's a tough one to swallow, but it's not supposed to be easy."

The match statistics were nearly even, with shots favoring Edmonton 46-42 in a game that extended over four and a half periods. According to Natural Stat Trick, high-danger chances at five-on-five were 16-15 in favor of the Oilers. One of Edmonton's best opportunities in extra time came when Kasperi Kapanen nearly tipped a Viktor Arvidsson pass past Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky in the second overtime, mere seconds before Marchand's game-winner.

Corey Perry pushed Game 2 into overtime with a goal, scoring with just 17.8 seconds left in the third period. This goal marked the latest game-tying score in Stanley Cup Final history and offered the Oilers a chance at their eighth third-period comeback in these playoffs, a feat which could have tied an NHL single-year record.

Contrary to Game 1, where the Oilers tied the score in the third period and won in overtime thanks to a Draisaitl power play goal, Game 2 was a bitter pill to swallow. Coach Kris Knoblauch remained optimistic, emphasizing the need to focus on the next game: "You learn in the playoffs, things don't always go your way. Sometimes it works in your favor, sometimes it doesn't."

The Oilers’ power play fell short, managing only one goal in six attempts while allowing a crucial breakaway goal to Marchand during a Panthers penalty kill. The team faced issues with Florida's aggressive forwards, with incidents involving Sam Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk causing disruptions around their net.

Despite the loss, players like John Klingberg are focused on making adjustments for the next game. "We know they have players that want to drive the net," Klingberg said. The team aims to improve their strategies to box out opponents earlier and capitalize on crucial moments.

Forward Leon Draisaitl emphasized the importance of moving on quickly: "At this time of year, you've got to move on. It stings right now, but we have to move on." While the Oilers had the chance to take a commanding lead in the series, they now head into the next game with the series tied, seeking to regroup and seize control on the road.