Panthers keep remarkable OT streak alive in Game 3 win

Florida Panthers center Nick Cousins (21) celebrates the game winning goal scored by Carter Verhaeghe (not pictured) against the Vegas Golden Knights during overtime in Game 3 of the 2023 Stanley Cup Final. Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Panthers keep remarkable overtime streak alive in Game 3 win over Golden Knights

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 6/9/23

The Florida Panthers kept their Stanley Cup hopes alive on Thursday, escaping with a 3-2 overtime win over the Vegas Golden Knights, cutting the series deficit to 2-1.

Florida improved to a remarkable 7-0 in overtime games during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Panthers join the 2003 Anaheim Ducks as the only team to win seven straight overtime games in the postseason, per Sportsnet.

THE CATS ARE ALIVE!!!

Carter Verhaeghe wins it in overtime! @FlaPanthers | #TimeToHunt | #StanleyCup

pic.twitter.com/zIbnQ1zytn
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) June 9, 2023

The Panthers were two minutes and 13 seconds away from falling behind 3-0 to the Golden Knights before who else but Matthew Tkachuk came to their rescue. With the Panthers trailing 2-1 in the final minutes of the third, Tkachuk banged home a rebound to send Game 3 to OT.

IN. THE. CLUTCH. pic.twitter.com/UtLBRGY2bE
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) June 9, 2023

After killing the remainder of a Vegas powerplay to start overtime, Carter Verhaeghe scored the game-winner 4:27 into the extra session, helping Florida secure its first Stanley Cup Final victory after six tries.

After the game, Tkachuk told Sportsnets' Kyle Bukauskas that Game 3's win was the "gutsiest" he'd ever been a part of.

"I'm very proud of the team, and we're not done yet," Tkachuk said.

After nearly falling into an insurmountable hole, the Panthers' have the momentum, and they'll look to ride it into Game 4. Florida will host Vegas with a chance to even the series at 2-2 Saturday at 8 p.m. ET.

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