Everything the Edmonton Oilers said about this time being different rang true in Game 1 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final. In a dramatic and gritty performance that showcased resilience and elite star power, the Oilers rallied from a two-goal deficit and defeated the defending champion Florida Panthers 4-3 in overtime on Wednesday night to seize a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Leon Draisaitl delivered the dagger, scoring the game-winner on the power play with just 31 seconds left in the overtime period. His third overtime goal of the 2025 playoffs — tying the NHL single-postseason record — came after Florida’s Tomas Nosek was penalized for delay of game, flipping the puck over the glass.
“That’s a big moment,” Draisaitl said. “We’ve been in these spots before. This time, we’re ready for it.”
A year ago, the Oilers were in the same building, in the same series, and dropped the first three games to Florida. This time, they flipped the script.
Draisaitl struck early in the opening period, giving Edmonton a 1-0 lead just 1:06 into the game. But the Panthers responded with a burst of their own. Sam Bennett tied the game after deflecting a puck past Stuart Skinner while falling into the goaltender — a sequence that led to controversy.
Edmonton head coach Kris Knoblauch challenged the goal for goaltender interference, but the NHL situation room ruled Oilers defenseman Jake Walman had tripped Bennett into Skinner. The failed challenge put Florida on the power play, and Brad Marchand cashed in to give the Panthers a 2-1 lead.
Bennett added his second goal early in the second period, giving Florida a 3-1 advantage and positioning them to continue a perfect 31-0 streak when leading after one or two periods in the playoffs since head coach Paul Maurice took over. But Edmonton didn’t flinch.
Fourth-line forward Viktor Arvidsson sparked the comeback with a key goal early in the second, energizing the Rogers Place crowd. Then, with 13:27 left in regulation, veteran defenseman Mattias Ekholm — in only his second game back from injury — tied it 3-3 on a beautiful feed from captain Connor McDavid.
“Big plays from everyone,” said Knoblauch. “That’s the kind of depth and heart we need to go the distance.”
Goaltender Stuart Skinner turned in a strong effort late, keeping the Panthers from retaking the lead as Florida peppered him with high-danger chances in the third and overtime. Every key save was met with booming “Stuuuuu!” chants from the home crowd.
Sergei Bobrovsky made a number of highlight-reel saves for the Panthers, including an acrobatic stop on Trent Frederic in overtime. But the veteran netminder also heard the mocking chants of “Ser-gei! Ser-gei!” after each goal he surrendered.
Ultimately, it was Draisaitl’s lethal power play strike that ended the night, lifting the Oilers to their first Stanley Cup Final game win since 2006 and giving them something they lacked a year ago: belief and a lead.
Game 2 is set for Friday night in Edmonton before the series shifts south to Sunrise, Florida, for Games 3 and 4. With their early advantage, the Oilers have a golden opportunity to rewrite history and chase the franchise’s first Cup since 1990.
But if Game 1 is any indication, this Final has all the makings of a classic.
