Anton Lundell had three points and Nate Schmidt scored the go-ahead goal with 8:52 left in regulation as the Panthers beat the Oilers 4-3 on Thursday night. Florida improves to 36-21-3. Edmonton falls to 34-21-4.

Vitek Vanecek stopped all 21 shots he faced in his Florida debut, and the Panthers beat the Buffalo Sabres 4-0 on Saturday night. A.J. Greer, Carter Verhaeghe, Anton Lundell and Sam Bennett all scored as the Panthers won their sixth-straight game.

The Edmonton Oilers were back at Amerant Bank Arena Thursday for the first time since they lost to the Florida Panthers in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final back on June 24. There was nothing, really, on the line Thursday — but the game was almost as tight.

The Florida Panthers welcomed the arrival of Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand in a Friday trade that adds even more grit and experience to the roster of the defending Stanley Cup champions. Marchand,

After he was traded over to the Florida Panthers earlier this week, goaltender Vitek Vanecek said he planned to do whatever he could to help the team win a second Stanley Cup. Saturday was a good start.

The Edmonton Oilers are probably glad they will not have to visit Amerant Bank Arena (or face the Florida Panthers) for another year, barring a rematch in the Stanley Cup Final. Then, all bets are off.