For nearly three full years under coach Paul Maurice, the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers were unbeatable in the playoffs when holding a lead through either of the first two periods.

Until Wednesday night.

After a 4-3 overtime loss to Edmonton in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, the Panthers blamed themselves for playing too conservatively in allowing the Oilers to score three straight goals as Florida squandered a 3-2 advantage entering the third.

"Just not let up. Don't sit back," said Sam Bennett , who scored twice, including his franchise-record 12th goal of this postseason. "We've been really good all year at not sitting back with the lead, and for whatever reason we sat back tonight."

It was an uncharacteristic collapse for a Florida team that had won 31 c

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