On a team filled with supernovas, Sam Reinhart shined brightest for the Panthers in their Game 6 dismantling of the Oilers.
The Florida forward came into the contest renowned for his scoring skills, as he’s scored the second-most goals in the NHL over the past two seasons (96).
Still, not everyone can recreate those antics in postseason play, let alone the Stanley Cup Final. Edmonton’s defense was well aware of Reinhart’s goal-scoring prowess after he scored the series clincher in last year’s Stanley Cup Finals and entered Tuesday’s matchup with goals in each of the past three games.
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Like any good showman, Reinhart saved his best performance for last. Now, he’s dancing with immortals.
Here’s what you need to know about Reinhart’s epic Game 6 vs. Edmonton.
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Sam Reinhart stats vs. Oilers
- Goals: 4
- Assists: 0
- Shots: 4
- Time on ice: 20:59
Reinhart ripped four shots into the back of the cage on Tuesday night. With his outburst, he became the sixth player to record four goals in a Stanley Cup Final match.
Reinhart’s superfecta was the first of its kind since Rocket Richard achieved the feat in 1957. He’s the first player to net four times in a Stanley Cup-clinching match since Babe Dye did so with the St. Pats in 1922.
As far as four-goal games go, Reinhart’s was as unusual as they come. He produced his tallies in a variety of ways — some relied on silky stick-handling and precise shooting, while others involved a little luck.
The 29-year-old started his night with aplomb, jinking the puck past two defenders before slotting above Stuart Skinner’s glove.
WE CAN’T STOP WATCHING THIS 😍 #StanleyCup
🇺🇸: @NHL_On_TNT & @SportsonMax ➡️ https://t.co/4TuyIATi3T
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/4KjbdjVctF pic.twitter.com/Qzs1IWyUMk— NHL (@NHL) June 18, 2025
The second period saw Reinhart strike again, albeit in far different circumstances. Carter Verhaeghe fired a listless effort toward Skinner’s cage, but instead of snatching the attempt out of the sky, Skinner deflected it into the path of Aleksander Barkov.
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The reigning Selke Award winner proceeded to slide the puck toward Reinhart, who was darting to the crease.
The pass was too hot to handle, but instead of spurning Reinhart’s grasp and disappearing into the corner of the boards, it simply caromed off Reinhart’s skate and limped into the net.
BARKOV MAKES IT 3-0 LATE IN THE SECOND PERIOD 🚨 pic.twitter.com/XxZi3LBmjv
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) June 18, 2025
A hat-trick beckoned for Reinhart, who continued to impose his will against a weary Oilers backline. With 7:34 left in the third period, his endeavor paid off.
Down 3-0, Edmonton head coach Kris Knoblauch elected to pull Skinner and send on an extra attacker in his place. Mayhem ensued as the Oilers sent a cavalry in the hopes of pulling a goal back. The bouncing tablet eventually landed in the path of Reinhart, who whacked it down the ice. He was greeted by a wailing alarm and a sea of red when it found its target.
IT WAS INEVITABLE pic.twitter.com/yWL9C1o6y7
— x – Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) June 18, 2025
With his third marker, Reinhart joined Dye, Mark Stone (2023), and Jack Darragh (1920) as players to record hat tricks in Cup clinchers.
A little more than two minutes later, he added to his tally, dispatching another lengthy attempt from outside the blue line.
MAKE THAT THE FIRST FOUR-GOAL PLAYOFF GAME IN PANTHERS HISTORY FOR SAM REINHART 😱🚨 pic.twitter.com/v054QM83ou
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) June 18, 2025
Reinhart finished his Stanley Cup Final endeavors with seven goals across six games. He’s the first player to hit that total since Wayne Gretzky did so in 1985.
All told, Reinhart entrenched himself as one of hockey’s greatest goal-scorers on Tuesday night. Although the finishes proved rather peculiar, at least compared to his usual offerings, they all counted the same.
