What the Rangers can learn from Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final

By the time the clock struck early Saturday morning in Edmonton, nine periods of hockey had passed in this 2025 Stanley Cup Final — and the dynasty vs destiny rematch found itself deadlocked, 1-1. If Game 1 was a reminder that Connor McDavid could do McDavid things for the Oilers, then Game 2 was proof that the Florida Panthers aren't going anywhere. Friday's barnburner, a 5-4 double-overtime triumph for the reigning champion Cats, had takeaways that should hit home for anyone watching from the World's Most Famous (and sometimes quietest) Library. If Rogers Place sounded like a jet engine, then what does that make Madison Square Garden? A reading room? We saw McDavid wizardry, a Corey Perry miracle goal, and a Marchand encore that would've felt right at home in 2011. Yet underneath the drama was identity-defining hockey the New York Rangers still seem to be grasping at.

It didn't take long for Sam Bennett to strike again, opening Game 2 with a power-play goal just 2:07 in — his13th of the playoffs, setting a Cats franchise record and extending his road-goal total to 12. Edmontonwas ticked, the crowd was furious, and Evander Kane, who took the penalty that led to the goal, was hearing it. Yet he made amends, tying things five minutes later, and Rogers Place reignited.

Evan Bouchard gave Edmonton the 2-1 lead on a rebound off his own blocked shot, and it felt like the floodgates might burst. Then came Seth Jones, who, off a tic-tac-toe feed started by Nate Schmidt, squared the proceedings. Leon Draisaitl scored on a mind-bending McDavid feed while Bennett sat for goalie interference, and the building lost its mind.

McDavid picked up the puck near the top of the left circle and immediately started carving through Florida's defensive players like they were cheat codes. First, it was Selke Trophy winner Aleksander Barkov, fresh off his third Selke — who bit on a head fake and ended up spinning like a compass gone haywire. Then came Aaron Ekblad, 6'4", but McDavid toe-dragged around his stick like akin to a training cone, and settled the rolling puck, and kept gliding. He threaded a pass right through the legs of Anton Lundell and just under the stick of Gustav Forsling, landing it perfectly on Draisaitl's blade low in the right circle; Bobrovsky lunged at the one-timer, fully stretched, but no chance.

It made the score 3-2 Oilers during the first period, which feels like a lifetime ago now, but that sequence was peak McDavid. He showed his blurred speed, impossible hands, and vision that bordered on the supernatural. You can chalk it up to talent, instinct, and years of work. The Panthers eventually won the game, but McDavid reminded everyone who the best player in the world still is.

Florida came out of the first intermission calmer, steadier, and more dangerous. Dmitry Kulikov tied the game again with a shot through traffic before Marchand, out of nowhere, scored shorthanded on a slick stretch pass from Lundell. It was 4-3 champs, and Marchand wasn't close to done.

Florida dominated the frame, out-attempting Edmonton 34-13, slowing their transition, and winning board battles. The Cats clamped down early in the third, killing a penalty and surrendering just four shots in the first 10 minutes. It appeared they finally solved Edmonton's engine. That was when Perry tied the thing with 18 seconds remaining, setting a Stanley Cup Final record for the latest game-tying goal in regulation and eliciting the orange-clad arena to reach 119 decibels.T he quaking arene serenaded their heroes as overtime beckoned for the second consecutive tilt.

Edmonton got the inital wave in the first overtime. McDavid nearly ended it on a breakaway, but Sergei Bobrovsky, who made 42 saves poke-checked him clean. Marchand hit a post, Sam Reinhart missed a breakaway, and Evan Rodrigues flubbed a prime look late in the period. While teammates laughed in the dressing room during the intermission, predicting the hero, Marchand was on the bike, keeping his legs fresh.

Minutes later, he won it, at 8:05 of double overtime, getting behind the Oilers' on a break and slipping the puck five-hole on Stuart Skinner. That was his second breakaway goal of the game. His second game-winner of the playoffs and a vintage moment for the 37-year-old whose drive and energy are aging like wine.

So, back to our original query: what can the Blueshirts learn from this? For starters, the Oilers blew leads. The Panthers got punched. Both teams got up. The Rangers need to become a team that doesn't just want to respond, but expects to. Florida surrendered a soul-crushing tying goal with 18 seconds left in regulation and then calmly regrouped to even the series. McDavid's feed to Draisaitl should be taught in schools.

The Rangers don't have "McDrai," but they boast a unique collection of elite talents, including Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, and Alexis Lafrenière. Yet, do they trust their stars when it matters? It's a question GM Chris Drury and Coach Mike Sullivan must answer when free agency opens on July 1. Before Perry tied the contest, Edmonton’s D didn’t do anything fancy, but played their roles. Darnell Nurse and Bouchard pushed the pace, Jake Walman and Brett Kulak kept Florida from breaking out, and everyone stuck to what they were good at. That’s what gave the Oilers the chance to strike.

On Broadway, Adam Fox needs a partner who lets him roam. Braden Schneider’s ready for more. Whoever fills out the rest— Zac Jones, Matthew Robertson, or someone new—needs a clear role and the trust to own it. One last thing: Why does Rogers Place sound like an earthquake, while the Garden gets called the "World's Most Famous Library" when the vibes turn south? Rangerstown must seize their next opportunity to show why they're a revered fanbase.

A banana split feels deserved, as this thrilling encounter turns into an all-timer. Game 3 is in Florida on Monday. We are in for a war.