Buckle up. We have a series.
Carter Verhaeghe potted an overtime winner Thursday night to lift the host Panthers to a 3-2 win over the Golden Knights in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final.
The Florida forward beat Vegas goaltender Adin Hill with a shot from long range through traffic to cut the Golden Knights’ lead in the best-of-seven series to two games to one.
MORE: Watch the 2023 NHL playoffs on TNT with Sling TV
The win was also the first in Panthers Stanley Cup Final history after six losses.
THE PANTHERS HAVE WON IT IN OVERTIME 🚨🚨🚨🚨
WE’VE GOT OURSELVES A SERIES FOLKS 🤯 pic.twitter.com/bs2YyZlnYk
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) June 9, 2023
Verhaeghe’s second OT winner of the playoffs and fourth career playoff overtime goal came after Matthew Tkachuk scored with just over two minutes remaining in regulation to tie the contest 2-2. Florida continues to be perfect in overtime during the 2023 playoffs, improving to 7-0.
Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky had an excellent bounce-back effort after giving up four goals in back-to-back games to start the series. He made 25 saves in the winning effort.
Game 4 of the series will be Saturday at FLA Live Arena.
The Sporting News provided updates and highlights from Game 3 of the Panthers vs. Golden Knights Stanley Cup Final. All times Eastern.
MORE: Golden Knights vs. Panthers Stanley Cup Final preview for 2023 NHL playoffs
Panthers vs. Golden Knights Game 3 score
1 | 2 | 3 | OT | F | |
Golden Knights | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Panthers | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Game 3 top performers
Panthers
Carter Verhaeghe: Game-winning goal, assist, +2, three shots on goal
Matthew Tkachuk: Goal, assist, +3, three shots on goal
Sergei Bobrovsky: 25 saves, .926 SV%
Golden Knights
Jonathan Marchessault: Power-play goal, assist, two shots on goal
Mark Stone: Power-play goal, assist, three shots on goal
Panthers vs. Golden Knights Game 3 live updates, highlights from 2023 Stanley Cup Final
FINAL: Panthers 3, Golden Knights 2 (OT)
11:23 p.m.: GOAL! Verhaeghe wins for the Panthers in overtime. He beats Hill with a shot through traffic, and folks, we have a series. What a resilient effort by the Panthers, who shot themselves in the foot all night.
THE PANTHERS HAVE WON IT IN OVERTIME 🚨🚨🚨🚨
WE’VE GOT OURSELVES A SERIES FOLKS 🤯 pic.twitter.com/bs2YyZlnYk
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) June 9, 2023
11:19 p.m.: Florida kills off the rest of the Forsling penalty.
11:17 p.m.: Overtime is a go. The Golden Knights start with 1:49 of power play from the Forsling penalty. Montour is out there for Florida.
11:15 p.m.: No Montour for the Panthers to start overtime. He left late in the third period after an awkward collision into the boards.
Here’s where Brandon Montour was injured#TimeToHunt | #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/lE2dXKY88E
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) June 9, 2023
11:07 p.m.: The Panthers are a perfect 6-0 in overtime during these playoffs, with two OT wins in each of the previous three series. The Golden Knights are 3-1 in overtime during this postseason.
11:05 p.m.: Reminder that overtime in the playoffs is continuous overtime until a team scores. They’ll play full, 20-minute periods at 5 on 5 until a goal is scored.
End of the third period: Golden Knights 2, Panthers 2
11:01 p.m.: Sixty minutes isn’t enough for Game 3 and for the first time in this Stanley Cup Final, we’ll head to overtime. Tkachuk’s goal in the final three minutes tied the game 2-2. Vegas will have 1:49 of power play time to start the overtime period.
10:59 p.m.: With 11 seconds remaining in regulation, the Golden Knights head to the power play as Gustav Forsling is called for tripping Stephenson. It looks like Stephenson clipped skates with Forsling as he was making a move in the offensive zone.
Forsling trips up Stephenson with 11 seconds left to go in regulation#TimeToHunt | #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/UlFV0Vn7VS
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) June 9, 2023
10:54 p.m.: GOAL! Seconds after the Panthers pull the goalie, Tkachuk ties the game for Florida. He puts home a loose puck in the crease after a shot from Ekblad at the point. We have a knotted game with 2:13 to go. Golden Knights 2, Panthers 2.
TKACHUK HAS TIED THE GAME WITH THE NET EMPTY 😱😱😱😱😱
THEY’RE GOING WILD IN FLORIDA pic.twitter.com/Z2MErLrY1e
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) June 9, 2023
10:54 p.m.: Bobrovsky goes to the bench for the extra attacker with 2:30 to go.
10:49 p.m.: Vegas was inches away from making it 3-1, but Barbashev’s shot on an odd man rush hits the goal post and stays out.
10:48 p.m.: Less than five minutes left, and there hasn’t been the desperation push yet from the Panthers, who have just four shots on goal in the third. The Golden Knights have been really good at getting the puck out of their own zone.
10:45 p.m.: We’re back to 5 on 5 as Gudas and Barbashev exit the box.
10:40 p.m.: Barbashev and Gudas each get two-minute minors for roughing, so it’ll be 4 on 4. The Golden Knights remain ahead 2-1 against the Panthers with 9:28 to go.
10:35 p.m.: It’s another failed power play for the Panthers. They’re 0-for-5 tonight and haven’t scored a PP goal in this series. For as much as the lack of discipline is hurting the team, so is the power play.
10:32 p.m.: Florida gets its fifth power play of the game, as this time, it’s Eichel called for hooking with 12:38 remaining. He got his stick right in on the hands of Bennett as he was crashing the net.
10:27 p.m.: Vegas has been relentless to start the third period. Even with a one-goal lead, the Golden Knights have had the better offensive pressure through the first five minutes. Paul Maurice and the Florida bench have put their lines in a blender.
10:21 p.m.: The Lundell penalty is killed off, with Bobrovsky making a stellar shoulder save in the dying seconds of the Vegas’ power play, stopping Michael Amadio’s shot from the slot.
10:20 p.m.: The final 20 minutes of regulation are a go. Vegas starts with 1:23 left on the power play.
End of the second period: Golden Knights 2, Panthers 1
10:01 p.m.: After two periods, the Golden Knights lead by a goal. Marchessault’s 13th tally of the playoffs was the only tally of the period. Florida’s lack of discipline is killing the team right now, with both of Vegas’ goals coming on the power play. Meanwhile, Florida is 0-for-4 on the man advantage tonight. Vegas will have 1:23 of power play time left to start the third period.
10 p.m.: With 37 seconds left, the Golden Knights are heading to another power play. Lundell slashes Barbashev, breaking his stick, and it’s another chance for the Golden Knights.
9:58 p.m.: It’s another empty power play for Florida. Right after the Martinez penalty expires, Bennett turns the puck over in his own zone, sending Chandler Stephenson in alone on Bobrovsky, but the Florida goaltender stops his two jam attempts.
Stephenson pickpockets Bennett and gets a great chance but Bobrovsky is there to save the day#TimeToHunt | #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/8NPYAiOYGj
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) June 9, 2023
9:55 p.m.: Another penalty, this time on the Golden Knights as Alec Martinez is whistled for interference with 3:34 left in the second. Florida is 0-for-3 tonight on the PP, and is still looking for its first goal on the man advantage in the series.
9:52 p.m.: Marchessault is now tied with Leon Draisaitl for the playoffs lead in goals with 13. Draisaitl was eliminated two rounds ago.
9:50 p.m.: GOAL! Who, but Jonathan Marchessault? The Golden Knights winger rips a one-timer under Bobrovsky’s arm on the power play with five minutes to go for his fourth of the series and third on the PP. It’s the second PP goal of the night for Vegas, who continue to cash in on Florida playing undisciplined. Golden Knights 2, Panthers 1.
MARCHESSAULT BREAKS THE TIE 🔥
WHAT A PLAYOFFS FOR THE OG GOLDEN KNIGHT pic.twitter.com/yRBxdza7tH
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) June 9, 2023
9:47 p.m.: Another penalty to the Panthers means another power play for the Golden Knights. Aleksander Barkov will sit for two for interference.
9:45 p.m.: Another sensational stop by Bobrovsky, this time on Brett Howden with the blocker. Howden was open on the back door, and got the puck after Bobrovsky missed it, but the Panthers goaltender slide across and got enough to keep it out.
A great save by Bobrovsky (after he bobbled the puck) keeps the game tied at 1. pic.twitter.com/hgPzcpJJWc
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) June 9, 2023
9:41 p.m.: A huge stop by Bobrovsky denies a pretty passing play from Vegas. McNabb had a chance in the slot to beat Bobrovsky going across the crease, but the Panthers goalie made a shoulder stop to deny him. The game remains 1-1 with 7:43 left in the second.
9:39 p.m.: The Panthers still have not had a power-play goal in the Stanley Cup Final, as McNabb exits the box. It was a solid PP by Florida, but the team just couldn’t break through on the chances it got in close.
9:35 p.m.: Now Florida goes to a power play with Brayden McNabb called for hooking. The Panthers get their third PP of the night with 12 minutes left in the second, they haven’t capitalized yet in this series on the man advantage.
9:34 p.m.: The Ekblad penalty expires, and we’re back to even strength. There were a couple of strong stops by Bobrovsky on that Vegas PP, who has looked at his best in Game 3.
Roy works around the sliding defender but can’t beat Bobrovsky in tight#TimeToHunt | #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/ZD5l233xo2
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) June 9, 2023
9:30 p.m.: Vegas is heading to a power play 4:56 into the second as Aaron Ekblad is called for holding. The Golden Knights are 1-for-2 so far tonight on the PP.
9:28 p.m.: A great stop by Bobrovsky keeps this a tied game. Jack Eichel went along the blue line to Nicolas Hague, who had time and space to walk in and get a clean shot off, but it went right into the glove of the Panthers goalie.
9:25 p.m.: Tkachuk is back on the Panthers’ bench, that’s massive for Florida.
9:25 p.m.: An ugly power play for the Panthers, who can’t get much going.
9:22 p.m.: The Panthers are getting a power play just 24 seconds into the second, as Carrier trips Colin White. Florida is 0-for-1 so far tonight on the man advantage.
9:21 p.m.: No Tkachuk on the Florida bench to start the second. There still hans’t been an update on his status, but not good news so far for the Panthers.
End of the first period: Panthers 1, Golden Knights 1
9:02 p.m.: It’s a 1-1 game after 20 minutes. Florida got out to a great start, but penalties once again are an issue tonight for the club, and Vegas’ power play gets the team on the board. The biggest concern for the Panthers is the status of Matthew Tkachuk, who left early in the first after a hit from Kolesar, and has yet to return. There were not many shots in the period, with the totals being 6-5 in favor of the Golden Knights.
8:56 p.m.: GOAL! Vegas ties the game on the power play thanks to a goal from Mark Stone with 3:57 left in the first. Stone got a stick on a shot attempt from Jonathan Marchessault and tipped it past Bobrovsky. That’s the third-straight game the Golden Knights get on the board thanks to the power play, as the Panthers continue to shoot themselves in the foot by being undisciplined. Panthers 1, Golden Knights 1.
Just like that Mark Stone ties the game for Vegas ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/k6WAV78CxL
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) June 9, 2023
8:54 p.m.: Now Vegas heads to a power play as Anthony Duclair is called for tripping. It’ll be 4 on 3 in favor of the Golden Knights for 1:37.
8:53 p.m.: We’ll play 4 on 4 here as Carrier is called for boarding, and then Radko Gudas is called for cross-checking. Florida was going to have a power play, but the retaliation from Gudas sends both players off.
8:53 p.m.: No word on Tkachuk’s status, per Jackie Redmond on the broadcast.
8:49 p.m.: Florida kills off the Staal minor. Vegas got just one shot on net during that power play, bumping its period total to two. There have not been many shots on goal from either side.
8:45 p.m.: Marc Staal trips Ivan Barbashev on what would have been a sure 2 on 1, so the Golden Knights head to their first power play of the night with 7:36 to go in the opening frame.
8:44 p.m.: Lundell nearly doubled the lead for the Panthers, but he hit the post. A really bad defensive breakdown by Vegas left Lundell all alone in front of the net, but the attempt wouldn’t go.
8:43 p.m.: It appears Eric Staal has been bumped up to play with Sam Bennett and Nick Cousins with Tkachuk out for the time being.
8:40 p.m.: The first period is halfway over, and this might be the best the Florida defense as looked all series. Vegas hasn’t generated anything offensively, with just one shot on Bobrovsky so far.
8:36 p.m.: Golden Knights kill off the Carrier minor, but the bigger news is that Tkachuk has headed down the tunnel to the locker room. He played the first power play shift after the Kolesar hit, but clearly was not 100%. That’s a big loss if he’s out for the Panthers.
8:32 p.m.: Keegan Kolesar flattens Tkachuk, but seconds later, William Carrier high-sticks Sam Bennett, giving Florida an early power play.
Kolesar hit Tkachuk hard at the Florida blue line#VegasBorn | #TimeToHunt pic.twitter.com/ExMfomcEy0
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) June 9, 2023
8:29 p.m.: GOAL! There’s the start Florida needed, as Brandon Montour opens the scoring 4:08 into the game. Matthew Tkachuk finds a cutting Montour from the point, who beats Adin Hill over the right shoulder. Montour had six goals through the first eight playoff games, but hadn’t lit the lamp since Game 1 against the Leafs in the second round. His seventh gives the Panthers an early lead Panthers 1, Golden Knights 0.
HOW’S THAT FOR A HOMECOMING 😱
FLORIDA GETS ON THE BOARD FIRST IN GAME 3 pic.twitter.com/rRS74aQQMk
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) June 9, 2023
8:27 p.m.: Paul Maurice said before Game 3 that he didn’t think his team needed to be as physical. It seems like his crew received the message, as there has been a noticeable change to start Game 3. There’s still plenty of hits being thrown, but they have been with purpose, rather than guys chasing around looking for contact.
8:23 p.m.: Game 3 is underway from Sunrise, Fla.
Pregame
7:45 p.m.: Here’s how the two sides line up for Game 3. There are no changes on the Vegas side, while Florida goes back to the normal 12 forwards and six defenseman. Zac Dalpe draws in while Casey Fitzgerald will sit.
Golden Knights pregame line rushes for Game 3 of the Cup Final (no changes):
Barbashev—Eichel—Marchessault
Smith—Karlsson—Amadio
Howden—Stephenson—Stone
Carrier—Roy—KolesarMartinez—Pietrangelo
McNabb—Theodore
Hague—WhitecloudHill
Quick— Jesse Granger (@JesseGranger_) June 8, 2023
#FlaPanthers in warmups:
Verhaeghe – Barkov – Duclair
Cousins – Bennett – Tkachuk
Lomberg – Lundell – Reinhart
White – Staal – DalpeForsling – Ekblad
Staal – Montour
Mahura – GudasBobrovsky
Lyon— Jameson Olive (@JamesonCoop) June 8, 2023
7:15 p.m.: Only five teams have ever come back from down 0-2 in a Stanley Cup Final to win. The last one to do so was the 2011 Bruins, who fell behind two games to the Canucks before winning four of the next five games.
7 p.m.: There was a bit of speculation about who would be in net for Game 3 on the Florida side, but Paul Maurice is going with Sergei Bobrovsky again. After allowing four goals in Game 1, he was pulled in the second period of Game 2 after allowing four goals on 13 shots. It was the first time all postseason Bobrovsky dropped back-to-back games.
Maurice said he expects Gudas to suit for Game 3. He doesn’t expect Luostarinen to play. Bobrovsky back in net.
— Jameson Olive (@JamesonCoop) June 7, 2023
6:30 p.m.: After leaving Game 2 in the first period, Radko Gudas is expected to suit up for the Panthers for Game 3. He did not skate with the team on Wednesday.
Coach Maurice says Radko Gudas will play tonight in Game 3.
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) June 8, 2023
Panthers vs. Golden Knights Game 3 start time
- Date: Thursday, June 8
- Time: 8 p.m. ET | 5 p.m. PT
Panthers vs. Golden Knights Game 3 puck drop is set for 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, June 8.
The game is being played at FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Fla.
What channel is Panthers vs. Golden Knights Game 3 on?
- TV channel (U.S.): TNT, TBS, truTV
- TV channel (Canada): Sportsnet, CBC, TVAS
- Live stream (U.S.): TNT app, TBS app, Sling TV
- Live stream (Canada): SN NOW, CBC Gem, CBC Sports app
In the U.S., Panthers vs. Golden Knights Game 3 will be broadcast on TNT, TBS and truTV. Fans in Canada can watch on Sportsnet and CBC in English or TVA Sports in French.
For those looking to live stream the game, the TNT and TBS apps are options in the United States.
Fans in the U.S. can also watch the Stanley Cup Final on Sling TV, which is now offering half off the first month. Viewers can stream the sports they love starting at $20 for the first month with Sling Orange, which offers TNT.
SIGN UP FOR SLING: English | Spanish
In Canada, streamers can watch the game through SN NOW, CBC Gem or the CBC Sports app.
Panthers vs. Golden Knights Game 3 odds
- Puckline: Panthers -1.5 (+213) | Golden Knights +1.5 (-257)
- Moneyline: Panthers -121 | Golden Knights +100
- O/U: 6.0
The Panthers enter Game 3 as favorites at home over the Golden Knights once again. The Golden Knights were favored in the first two games, picking up wins in both.
Odds provided by Sports Interaction.
Panthers vs. Golden Knights playoff schedule
Date | Site | Time (ET) | TV/Result |
Sat., June 3 | at Vegas | FINAL | Golden Knights 5, Panthers 2 |
Mon., June 5 | at Vegas | FINAL | Golden Knights 7, Panthers 2 |
Thu., June 8 | at Florida | 8 p.m. | TNT, TBS, truTV, SN, CBC, TVAS |
Sat., June 10 | at Florida | 8 p.m. | TNT, TBS, truTV, SN, CBC, TVAS |
*Tue., June 13 | at Vegas | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV, SN, CBC, TVAS |
*Fri., June 16 | at Florida | 8 p.m. | TNT, TBS, truTV, SN, CBC, TVAS |
*Mon., June 19 | at Vegas | 8 p.m. | TNT, TBS, truTV, SN, CBC, TVAS |
*If necessary