NHL News: Leon Draisaitl drops ‘UFC’ remark after Oilers’ Game 3 collapse vs. Panthers

For the Edmonton Oilers, Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final unraveled into more than just a lopsided defeat—it turned into a spectacle of frustration. With 11 minutes left and the Florida Panthers firmly in control, emotions boiled over and tempers flared, culminating in a chaotic third-period brawl that overshadowed the action on the scoreboard.

The Panthers dominated the game from the start, eventually building a 5–1 lead that appeared to break Edmonton’s resolve. What followed was a full-on line brawl that saw six players—three from each side—ejected and the Oilers racking up the bulk of the penalty minutes. In total, 140 penalty minutes were handed out, 85 of them to the Oilers, in one of the most physical and chaotic moments of the postseason.

Standing on the periphery of the storm was Leon Draisaitl, who did not register a point, took no part in the skirmish, and left the ice with a minus-2 rating. Yet it was his post-practice comments on Tuesday that captured the surreal nature of what transpired. “It’s a UFC fight,” he remarked, underscoring just how far the contest strayed from traditional hockey.

A blowout turns unruly

By the time gloves hit the ice, the Panthers had already done their damage on the scoreboard. Edmonton’s defensive breakdowns and undisciplined penalties allowed Florida to convert on three of their 11 power plays. The late-game melee felt like a symptom of deeper frustration, as the Oilers failed to match Florida’s intensity and physical edge.

Draisaitl, reflecting on the breakdown, acknowledged the nature of Florida’s aggressive style. “That’s part of their DNA. That’s what they do,” he said. “I think there’s spurts in the series where we’ve handled it really well.” But Game 3 wasn’t one of those moments.

see also

Kris Knoblauch’s sharp remark underscores NHL officiating controversy amid Panthers’ win

Draisaitl maintains composure amid emotional turmoil

Despite the lopsided result and the emotional fireworks, Draisaitl maintained a composed outlook. “I’m not going crazy. I don’t know if anybody’s going crazy,” he said. “It’s an emotional time. It’s two teams that want to win, two teams doing it their own way.”

While critics might point to Edmonton’s lack of discipline as a turning point in the series, Draisaitl downplayed any sense of unraveling. His comments suggested a team still confident in its identity, even as the Panthers continue to press them both physically and mentally.

All eyes on Game 4

With the series now leaning heavily in Florida’s favor, the Oilers will need more than a response—they need a reset. Game 4, scheduled for Thursday, represents a pivotal moment for a team still searching for consistency and composure in the face of relentless pressure.

If Edmonton fails to reclaim momentum, the Stanley Cup Final could begin slipping beyond their grasp. For now, Draisaitl’s words ring out as both an observation and a warning: “It’s two teams doing it their own way.” But only one of them has found the formula that’s working.