The Edmonton Oilers pulled off a stunning 5-4 overtime victory against the Florida Panthers in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final, tying the series at 2-2. The Oilers demonstrated incredible resilience, overcoming a 3-0 first-period deficit to secure the win. Here are five key takeaways from the game:
Resilient Oilers Never Quit: Falling behind 3-0 early in the game could have been a knockout blow, especially on the road. However, the Oilers demonstrated remarkable resilience and mental fortitude. According to Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch, "Games like that, it's exhausting—it's a roller coaster." Leon Draisaitl emphasized the team's unwavering spirit, stating, "That's what we do: We're a resilient group. We're never going to quit no matter what." This never-say-die attitude fueled their comeback and ultimately led to their victory. The Oilers became only the seventh team in NHL history to come back from three goals down to win a Stanley Cup Final game.
Calvin Pickard's Impactful Relief Appearance: After Stuart Skinner allowed three goals on 17 shots in the first period, Coach Knoblauch made a crucial decision to replace him with Calvin Pickard. This goalie change proved to be a turning point in the game. Pickard provided a calming presence in net, stopping 22 of 23 shots and allowing the Oilers to regain their composure. As Nugent-Hopkins noted, Pickard was "Outstanding to be able to come in off the bench, make some massive saves in huge times." Pickard's performance not only stabilized the Oilers' defense but also seemed to energize the entire team.
Draisaitl's Overtime Heroics: Leon Draisaitl once again proved his worth as a clutch performer, scoring the overtime winner to secure the victory. Draisaitl's goal marked his fourth overtime game-winner of the 2025 playoffs, setting a new NHL record. Draisaitl has a knack for scoring timely goals. His ability to perform under pressure was evident as he drove to the net and got a fortunate deflection off a Panthers player which beat Bobrovsky. This marks his second OT winner in the series.
Special Teams Tell a Tale: The importance of special teams was on full display in Game 4. The Panthers capitalized on their power-play opportunities in the first period, scoring two goals on three power plays to build their early lead. The Oilers, on the other hand, struggled to convert on their power plays early on but eventually scored one in the second period which started the comeback. Discipline became key as the game wore on, with both teams needing to stay out of the penalty box.
Momentum Swings and a "Rollercoaster" Game: Game 4 was a game of significant momentum swings. The Panthers dominated the first period, while the Oilers responded with a dominant second period, scoring three unanswered goals to tie the game. The teams traded chances in the third period, with the Oilers taking a late lead only to see the Panthers tie the game with seconds remaining. Ultimately, the Oilers were able to ride the waves of emotion and secure the victory in overtime. The Oilers' ability to manage these momentum shifts and stay resilient was crucial to their success.
