The Florida Panthers suffered a heartbreaking 5-4 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final, evening the series at 2-2. After a commanding 3-0 lead in the first period, the Panthers couldn't maintain their momentum, ultimately falling to Leon Draisaitl's game-winning goal. Here are three key takeaways from the Panthers' perspective:

1. Squandered Early Lead and Momentum Shift: The Panthers came out strong, dominating the first period with a 3-0 lead. Matthew Tkachuk scored twice, once on a power play, and Anton Lundell added another goal in the final minute, seemingly putting Florida in control. However, the Oilers responded with three goals in the second period, tying the game and shifting the momentum. This collapse marked a significant departure from Florida's usual performance, as they had been nearly unbeatable when leading after the first or second period under coach Paul Maurice. The inability to sustain their early dominance proved costly.

2. Goaltending Concerns and Missed Opportunities: While Sergei Bobrovsky has been a standout performer throughout the playoffs, Game 4 saw him allow five goals, including the decisive overtime winner. Although the winning goal deflected off a Panthers' defenseman, Bobrovsky's overall performance wasn't up to his usual standards. In contrast, the Oilers made a strategic goalie change, replacing Stuart Skinner with Calvin Pickard after the first period. Pickard's solid performance, stopping 22 of 23 shots, provided a much-needed boost for Edmonton. The Panthers also had opportunities to extend their lead or regain control, but missed chances and key saves by Pickard kept the game within reach for the Oilers.

3. Special Teams Struggles and Defensive Lapses: The Panthers' special teams performance was a mixed bag. While they capitalized on the power play early in the game, they failed to convert on later opportunities. Conversely, the Oilers' power play contributed to their comeback. Additionally, defensive lapses allowed the Oilers to generate scoring chances and capitalize on rebounds. Jake Walman's go-ahead goal in the third period highlighted these defensive breakdowns. The Panthers need to tighten up their defense and improve their penalty kill to prevent similar situations in future games. The Panthers had 34 hits and 5 takeaways, while the Oilers had 25 hits and 0 takeaways.