Edmonton, Dec. 16, 2024 – During the second period of Monday's NHL game, Edmonton Oilers forward Zach Hyman found the back of the net against Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky. The action took place at Rogers Place, with Jason Franson capturing the moment for The Canadian Press.
In a gripping rematch of last year’s Stanley Cup finalists, the Florida Panthers edged out the Edmonton Oilers 6-5 on Monday night. Niko Mikkola, Sam Reinhart, and Carter Verhaeghe each notched a goal and an assist, propelling the Panthers to victory after a tense third-period surge.
The Panthers, now 19-11-2, rebounded from two previous shutout losses on the road. Goals from Jesper Boqvist, Matthew Tkachuk, and Gustav Forsling rounded out Florida’s offensive effort. Despite missing star forward Aleksander Barkov for a second game due to illness, the team’s dynamic performance prevailed.
For the Oilers, who saw their five-game winning streak snapped, Zach Hyman scored twice, while Leon Draisaitl, Kasperi Kapanen, and Connor Brown added to the scoreboard. Captain Connor McDavid, ever the playmaker, tallied three assists to keep Edmonton in the fight.
Fast-Paced Action Defined the Game
The Panthers took an early lead just minutes into the first period with a short-handed goal by Jesper Boqvist, who capitalized on a slip-up by Oilers’ Evan Bouchard. This marked Florida’s eighth short-handed goal of the season, further solidifying their league-leading prowess in that area.
Leon Draisaitl continued to shine for Edmonton, extending his streak of multi-point games to six with a goal and an assist. His second-period tally marked the 200th career goal assisted by Connor McDavid, cementing their chemistry on the ice. Draisaitl also leads the league in multiple categories, including goals (23) and game-winners (7).
The Third-Period Turnaround
The game’s decisive moments came in the third period. Florida tied the match when Mikkola capitalized on a defensive error by Edmonton’s Bouchard. Just 30 seconds later, Reinhart’s sharp-angle shot ricocheted off Oilers’ goalie Stuart Skinner, giving Florida the edge. Reinhart’s goal marked his 20th of the season and sealed the Panthers’ comeback.
Hyman’s Heroics and Misfortune
Zach Hyman was a standout for the Oilers, continuing his hot streak with seven goals in his last six games. However, his night wasn’t without adversity. During the second period, Hyman was struck in the face by a deflected puck, leaving him bloodied and briefly out of action. He returned in the third period, undeterred, wearing a full face shield.Goalie Performances
Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky made 25 saves, while Edmonton’s Stuart Skinner stopped 22 shots. Both faced intense pressure in a game dominated by high-paced attacks and quick transitions.
