The 2025 Stanley Cup Finals are in full swing. And it seems like both teams are doing their best to flex their muscles in order to unnerve their opponents in every way possible. Remember that Chinook CH-147F Helicopter from 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, CFB Petawawa, Ontario, that hovered across the skies above Rogers Place ahead of Game 2? You really can’t entirely dismiss the fact that the mechanical whirring sound almost reflected the Oilers’ fighting spirit after their win in Game 1. And now, for Game 3, the Florida Panthers also seem to have something special planned.

The Panthers kept a steady grip on things to win Game 2, despite Edmonton’s best attempts. And now, as the 2025 Stanley Cup Finals returned to Amerant Bank Arena today, the Florida team seemed eager to make the most of its home ice advantage, so much so that they weren’t even shy to start the game on the tails of a small party.

Grammy Award-winner DJ Khaled kicked off things at the Amerant Bank Arena with a special performance pre-game. “Catch his performance in-arena pregame and 1st intermission at Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final!” read the X post shared earlier today on the Florida Panthers’ account. It also noted that the Anthem King would return to entertain the fans in the 1st intermission. However, the Miami-based DJ won’t be the only special face to feature in Game 3 tonight.

Fox Sports 640‘s Andy Slater also shared details of the other in-city superstar who would have a special responsibility at today’s Florida Panthers vs. Edmonton Oilers match. “Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo will be banging the drum at tonight’s Oilers-Panthers Stanley Cup Final Game 3, sources confirm,” Slater shared via an X post.

Ahead of Game 1 at Rogers Place, the Hamilton, Ontario-based band Arkells entertained fans with the melodies of its signature indie rock, while The Glorious Sons and Triumph took the stage in Play Alberta Fan Park ahead of Game 2. Safe to say that the Florida Panthers are looking to one-up their opponents with DJ Khaled. Well, nobody’s complaining. After all, a little music on the side to make sure we don’t pop a nerve from all the action on the ice is more than welcome.

However, music hasn’t been the only thing that’s made this finals series memorable. A post by B/R Open Ice from June 4 also shared how the Florida Panthers’ foes have been going an extra mile to give their players all the motivation they need to get back at the Cats for the 2024 Stanley Cup heartbreak. “The Rogers Place ice has been resurfaced with ice from a handful of Oilers players’ hometown rinks across Canada for Game 1,” revealed the X post, and we’re sure that the words “home ice advantage” were made extra special for Kris Knoblauch’s boys.

But could these things be enough to go all the way and win the ultimate ice hockey prize?

No quarter for either the Florida Panthers or the challengers

Only two games into the best-of-7 series, and we’re already on the edge of our seats. The series is tied 1-1, and we’re positive: This is how a Stanley Cup Finals series should be. Both of the first two games went into overtime, with Leon Draisaitl pulling out a special trick from his hat to bring the Oilers the first win of the series with two goals, one of those in OT. In Game 2, it was the Florida Panthers’ Brad Marchand who scored two goals of his own (again, one of those coming in OT) to keep the Cats in contention.

And surely enough, there’s been no shortage of heated debates either. From Sam Bennett’s debatable first goal in Game 1, which got the Oilers’ coach riled up, to the hockey community pondering how the tight schedule of the league might play spoilsport during these final stages of the playoffs, there’s been a lot to keep us hooked to the Finals.

However, in game 3, it seems like the Oilers are losing their grip. At the time of writing, the Florida Panthers are up by 5-1, thanks to goals from Sam Reinhart, Sam Bennett, Carter Verhaeghe, Aaron Ekblad, and Brad Marchand. Maybe it was DJ Khaled’s “All they do is win!” chants during the 1st intermission that got the Cats going. How do you think Edmonton can bounce back from the setback? Can Game 4 go in the challengers’ favor? What do you reckon?