Florida goalie James Reimer buoyed his team's shaky playoff hopes by making 27 saves in his return to action after missing six games due to a groin injury.
The Oilers, on a night when they honored the 1984-85 team that was voted the greatest in league history on the NHL's website, received a major blow to their playoff chances.
What started out a sleepy Monday affair between two non-conference clubs became a wild and crazy clash because the defensive play and goaltending provided memories of mid-1980s hockey.
For the Panthers, Evgenii Dadonov scored twice, his second on a third-period penalty shot that ended up being the game-winner, while Aaron Ekblad and Denis Malgin added singles. Ekblad, Malgin, Jonathan Huberdeau, Michael Matheson and Keith Yandle also had two-point nights for the visitors.
For the Oilers, Patrick Maroon and Connor McDavid collected one goal and one assist apiece, while Leon Draisaitl, also on a penalty shot, Anton Slepyshev and Drake Caggiula scored.
Not only did the Oilers surrender the first goal in a game for the 33rd time in 55 outings, but they were torched for three more power-play goals against. Edmonton has allowed 38 man-advantage markers in its 28 home games.
Goalie Cam Talbot stopped 33 shots for the Oilers, who are now on a four-game losing skid.
The score was 3-3 before Trocheck put the visitors on top 18 seconds into the third period. His second power-play goal of the night, at 6:05 of the third, doubled the lead, but Slepyshev replied for Edmonton 48 seconds later.
Dadonov's penalty shot put Florida up 6-4 at 10:46, but McDavid's goal at 14:58 kept the Oilers close.
Trocheck's empty-netter with exactly a minute left sealed the Panthers' victory.
--Field Level Media
Florida | Edmonton | |
Vincent Trocheck 3 | Points | Patrick Maroon 2 |
Vincent Trocheck 3 | Goals | Patrick Maroon 1 |
Jonathan Huberdeau 2 | Assists | Patrick Maroon 1 |
Vincent Trocheck 2 | Power Play Goals | N/A |
N/A | Short Handed Goals | Leon Draisaitl 1 |
James Reimer .844 | Save Percentage | Cam Talbot .846 |
James Reimer 27 | Saves | Cam Talbot 33 |
Team | Shots | Goals | Power Play | Penalty Kill | Penalty Mins | Face Offs Won |
Florida | 40 | 7 | 3-4 | 0-0 | 0 | 30 |
Edmonton | 32 | 5 | 0-0 | 1-4 | 8 | 40 |