Corey Perry Defies Age with Historic Tying Goal in Oilers’ Game 2 of 2025 Stanley Cup Final

Corey Perry © Pinterest

At 43 years old, Edmonton Oilers forward Corey Perry continues to defy Father Time, delivering a monumental moment in Game 2 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers on June 6, 2025, at Rogers Place. With just 18 seconds left in regulation, Perry’s wrist shot tied the game at 4-4, setting a new record for the latest tying goal in Stanley Cup Final history. Despite the Oilers’ eventual 5-4 double overtime loss to a Brad Marchand goal, Perry’s clutch performance sent the Edmonton crowd into a frenzy and underscored his enduring value in his 21st NHL season. This article explores Perry’s historic goal, his impact on the Oilers’ playoff run, and his fantasy hockey relevance in this thrilling rematch of the 2024 Final.

A Record-Breaking Moment

Trailing 4-3 with time ticking down in Game 2, the Oilers faced elimination from falling into a 2-0 series deficit. A point shot from defenseman Jake Walman was knocked down in front, and Perry, battling Florida’s Eetu Luostarinen in the slot, pounced on the loose puck. His quick wrist shot beat Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky at 19:42 of the third period, eclipsing Tod Sloan’s 1951 record for the latest tying goal in a Final (19:28). The goal, Perry’s eighth of the 2025 playoffs, ignited Rogers Place’s 113.6-decibel roar, a testament to the veteran’s knack for delivering in high-stakes moments.

The euphoria was short-lived, as Marchand’s partial breakaway at 8:05 of double overtime tied the series 1-1, but Perry’s goal kept Edmonton alive, forcing overtime for the second consecutive game. Reflecting on the loss, Perry told NHL.com, “They’re a good team and they are going to push us to the max, and we’re going to push them to the max.” His resilience mirrors the Oilers’ 2024 Final comeback from a 3-0 deficit, only to fall 2-1 in Game 7, fueling their hunger for redemption in 2025.

Perry’s Clutch Legacy

Perry’s Game 2 heroics add to a storied career that includes the 2010-11 Hart Trophy as League MVP and a 2007 Stanley Cup with the Anaheim Ducks, who drafted him 28th overall in 2003. Despite falling short in five of the last six Finals (2020–24 with Dallas, Montreal, Tampa Bay, and Edmonton), Perry’s postseason prowess remains unmatched. His eight goals and 12 points in 18 games this playoff run, celebrated on his 43rd birthday on May 16, 2025, trail only Leon Draisaitl (10 goals) among Oilers. Teammate John Klingberg, who played with Perry in Dallas’ 2020 Final loss, praised him to NHL.com: “He’s a big clutch player. It’s very impressive.”

Signed as a free agent on January 22, 2024, Perry brought playoff pedigree to Edmonton, a team seeking its first Cup since 1990. Coach Kris Knoblauch highlighted Perry’s net-front presence: “You need guys around the net and finding ways, and he’s as good as anybody finding ways to score.” Despite scoring just one goal in last year’s playoffs, Perry’s 2025 resurgence—evidenced by his 85th-percentile midrange shots (NHL EDGE)—proves his value in tight games, where his 6-foot-3 frame and hockey IQ shine.

Defying Age with Determination

Perry’s ability to perform at 43, in his 21st NHL season, is a testament to his determination and physical conditioning, resonating with the user’s interest in athletic longevity through flexibility and training. Posts on X lauded Perry as a “warrior,” noting his ability to outmaneuver younger defenders like Luostarinen. His Game 2 goal showcased his signature skill: finding pucks in traffic and capitalizing on chaos, a trait Knoblauch credited for his signing. Perry’s five career playoff overtime goals, tied for second-most all-time, underline his clutch gene, a quality he attributes to “playing in the moment.”

Despite the double overtime loss, Perry’s mindset remains forward-focused. Referencing a 4-3 loss to Vegas in 2023’s second round with 0.4 seconds left, he said, “You go home and you can think about it, but tomorrow you get some rest, get on the plane and get ready for Game 3.” His leadership bolsters an Oilers squad that outshot Florida 24-8 in the third period and overtime, showcasing resilience despite special teams struggles (1-for-6 power play, short-handed goal allowed).

Fantasy Hockey Impact

For fantasy hockey managers, Perry’s Game 2 performance elevates his value in playoff pools, especially in leagues rewarding clutch contributions. His eight goals rank second on Edmonton, making him a sneaky pick for goals (+200 for 1+ goal) behind Draisaitl and Connor McDavid (29 points). Perry’s 12 points (four assists) and physicality (38 hits in 18 games) add depth in hits and points categories, with a prop bet for 0.5 points (+250) offering upside. Compared to Florida’s Sam Bennett (12 goals, high hits), Perry’s lower ice time (14:29 average) limits his exposure but maximizes his net-front impact. With the series tied 1-1 heading to Amerant Bank Arena for Game 3 on June 9, 2025 (8 p.m. ET; MAX, truTV, TNT, SN, TVAS, CBC), Perry’s road playoff pedigree (6-3 Oilers record) suggests more big moments.

Looking Ahead to Game 3

The Oilers, now facing a critical road game, lean on Perry’s experience to steal a win in Florida, where the Panthers are 4-3 this postseason. Edmonton’s 6-3 road record and Perry’s knack for “finding a way to find the puck,” as Knoblauch noted, could counter Florida’s depth (10 skaters with 11+ points) and goaltending (Bobrovsky’s 42 saves). Perry’s goal exposed vulnerabilities in Florida’s late-game defense, a factor Edmonton’s top line—McDavid (three assists in Game 2) and Draisaitl (power-play goal)—will exploit. However, Florida’s physicality (812 playoff hits) and Marchand’s overtime heroics signal a fierce response, setting up a Game 3 showdown.

Conclusion

Corey Perry’s record-breaking tying goal in Game 2 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, scored with 18 seconds left, cemented his status as a timeless clutch performer for the Edmonton Oilers. Despite the 5-4 double overtime loss to the Florida Panthers, Perry’s eighth playoff goal at age 43 showcased his determination and net-front mastery, earning praise from coach Kris Knoblauch and fans on X. For fantasy hockey players, Perry’s goals and physicality offer value in a tightly contested series. As the Oilers head to Florida for Game 3, Perry’s veteran leadership and knack for big moments promise to keep Edmonton’s Cup dreams alive in this epic rematch.

Source: article by Gerry Moddejonge on nhl.com, published June 6, 2025.

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By Vitalina Andrushchenko, Staff Writer