The Edmonton Oilers pulled off an incredible comeback in overtime to defeat the Florida Panthers 5-4, leveling the Stanley Cup Final at 2-2. The game showcased a remarkable resilience from the Oilers, who managed to erase a daunting three-goal deficit.
The Panthers initially dominated, racing to a 3-0 lead with power play goals from Matthew Tkachuk and a goal from Anton Lundell just before the first intermission. Faced with this challenge, the Oilers switched goaltenders, bringing in backup Calvin Pickard for the second period, which revitalized the team. Goals from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Darnell Nurse, and Vasily Podkolzin leveled the score at 3-3 by the end of the second period.
In an electrifying finish, Jake Walman scored to put the Oilers ahead 4-3, but Sam Reinhart of the Panthers equalized with only 19.5 seconds remaining in regulation, pushing the game into overtime. Leon Draisaitl, who previously starred in Game 1, emerged again as the hero, netting the game-winner just over 11 minutes into the extra period. This goal marked Draisaitl’s fourth overtime goal of this playoff season, setting a new record for the most OT goals in a single postseason in NHL history.
The comeback victory is particularly historic; it marks the first time in 106 years that a team has come back from three goals down to win on the road during the Stanley Cup Final, a feat last achieved by the Montreal Canadiens in 1919. The Oilers will now take the momentum back to Edmonton for Game 5.
Draisaitl acknowledged his team’s fighting spirit, emphasizing their need for improvement but celebrating their ability to battle back from difficult situations. As the series heads to Rogers Place, there’s a renewed excitement for the Oilers, who have shown they can compete against the defending champions.
With celebrity guests like Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce in attendance, the energy in the arena was palpable, showcasing the high stakes of this exhilarating series. As the Oilers prepare for their next challenge, fans remain hopeful for continued success and a chance to capture the Cup.