SUNRISE, Fla. — After a tough start, the Edmonton Oilers mounted a comeback to overcome a three-goal deficit and tie the series against the Florida Panthers in a thrilling Stanley Cup Final Game 4. The initial period had seen the Panthers establish a daunting 3-0 lead, only for the Oilers to respond dynamically, scoring three goals in the second period to level the playing field.
This exhilarating encounter saw the Oilers briefly edge ahead before the Panthers tied it up at the tail end of regulation, pushing the game into overtime. Leon Draisaitl became the hero of the moment, notching the winning goal in overtime, his fourth OT goal of the playoffs – a record-breaking achievement.
Edmonton’s head coach, Kris Knoblauch, reflected on the high stakes and intensity of the match. “Games like that, it’s exhausting — it’s a roller coaster,” he remarked. “Two good teams playing as hard as they are, playing the right way. Obviously, with what’s on the line, it’s stressful. There’s a lot on the line, but it is fun and I think our guys are having fun, enjoying this moment.”
The Oilers’ victory brought relief, as a defeat would have left them trailing 3-1 in the series, bringing them dangerously close to succumbing to Florida in the finals for the second year in a row. The series now tied at two games apiece, transitions to Edmonton for Game 5, where the home crowd eagerly waits to offer their support.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who registered the Oilers’ first goal, expressed the team’s eagerness, “Better than it could have been, but obviously a long way to go,” he said. “We’re just excited to get back home and play in front of our fans, and Saturday night is going to be pretty fun.”
The game saw Jake Walman give Edmonton the lead late in the third period, only for Sam Reinhart to bring Florida level with less than 20 seconds remaining, emphasizing the heated nature of the competition. Draisaitl, reflecting on his team’s resilience, stated confidently, “That’s what we do: We’re a resilient group. We’re never going to quit no matter what. We’ll take it and go home.”
Historically, Edmonton achieved something remarkable, becoming the first road team to rally from a three-goal deficit in the finals since 1919. On top of that, only a few teams have managed such a feat in the finals’ history, the latest occurrence being in 2006.
Disappointment reigned briefly in the Oilers’ camp after a challenging first period, where Matthew Tkachuk contributed two goals and Anton Lundell another, leaving Edmonton’s Stuart Skinner to be substituted for Calvin Pickard. Despite being hit hard in the early stages, Pickard displayed exceptional skill by saving the first 18 shots he faced, setting the stage for a historic comeback. Goals in the second period by Nugent-Hopkins, Darnell Nurse, and Vasily Podkolzin marked a turning point.
Matthew Tkachuk acknowledged the tight margin that defined the match. “There were chances everywhere,” Tkachuk said. “Both teams had good looks. I mean, one of their players it hits off a skate and hits the post. We got lucky there. It’s a game of inches.”