Stanley Cup Finals: Oilers Win Game 1 in OT Over Panthers/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Leon Draisaitl scored a dramatic overtime power-play goal to lift the Edmonton Oilers past the Florida Panthers 4-3 in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. Edmonton overcame a two-goal deficit in a thrilling comeback victory. Goalie Stuart Skinner made 29 key saves to secure the crucial win.
Stanley Cup Final Quick Looks: Oilers Take Game 1
- Comeback Victory: Edmonton erased a 3-1 deficit to win in OT.
- Game-Winning Goal: Draisaitl scores third OT goal of 2025 postseason.
- Connor McDavid: Assisted on both the tying and winning goals.
- Goaltending Duel: Skinner made 29 saves; Bobrovsky stood strong despite crowd chants.
- Florida’s Collapse: Panthers lose despite 3-1 lead and a 31-0 record when leading after two periods.
- Next Matchup: Game 2 is Friday night in Edmonton.
Deep Look: Oilers Win Game 1 in Overtime Against Panthers
EDMONTON, Alberta — The Edmonton Oilers kicked off the Stanley Cup Final with a statement win, overcoming a multi-goal deficit to defeat the Florida Panthers 4-3 in overtime Wednesday night, thanks to Leon Draisaitl’s clutch power-play goal.
The highly anticipated Game 1 at Rogers Place brought immediate flashbacks to last year’s Stanley Cup loss. However, this time, the Oilers weren’t overwhelmed by the spectacle. Goalie Stuart Skinner, reflecting on last year’s heartbreak, said the experience grounded him for this opportunity: “It definitely felt completely different.”
That new mindset paid off.
Draisaitl, who has emerged as one of the NHL’s premier playoff performers, netted the game-winner with just 31 seconds left in the first overtime period. The power-play opportunity came after Florida’s Tomas Nosek was penalized for sending the puck over the glass—a costly mistake. It was Draisaitl’s third overtime goal of this postseason, tying a league record.
“He does it all,” said Connor McDavid, who set up both the game-tying goal and the overtime winner. “Clutch, faceoffs, playmaking — he’s invaluable.”
A Rocky Start
The Oilers’ night didn’t begin as planned. Although Draisaitl opened the scoring just over a minute into the first period, the Panthers quickly responded. Sam Bennett, who collided with Skinner after being tripped by Oilers defenseman Jake Walman, deflected a goal past the netminder. The play was challenged for goalie interference, but the NHL ruled against Edmonton, leading to a Florida power play.
Brad Marchand capitalized on the advantage, giving the Panthers a 2-1 lead. Bennett struck again in the second period, extending Florida’s lead to 3-1. At that point, the Panthers looked poised to continue their 31-0 playoff streak when leading after two periods.
But the Oilers had other plans.
Edmonton’s Response
Viktor Arvidsson narrowed the margin early in the second period, igniting the home crowd. Later, Mattias Ekholm — playing just his second game back from injury — tied the game at 3 with a sniper shot off a pass from McDavid. It was a critical momentum shift.
Meanwhile, Sergei Bobrovsky held strong for the Panthers, making several acrobatic saves to keep his team in contention. One of his finest came in overtime when he denied Trent Frederic with a highlight-reel glove stop.
But Edmonton continued to push. The crowd at Rogers Place serenaded Bobrovsky with chants of “Ser-gei! Ser-gei!” after each goal, while Oilers fans showed appreciation for Skinner’s solid goaltending with loud “Stuuuu!” chants.
What’s Next
Game 2 is set for Friday night in Edmonton, and with the Oilers grabbing the early momentum in this rematch of last year’s Final, the pressure now shifts to Florida to respond. Edmonton is seeking redemption after last year’s disappointment, and this Game 1 comeback win sends a clear message: this time, it’s different.
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