The Edmonton Oilers kicked off the 2025 Stanley Cup Final in familiar fashion—just like in their 1990 championship run—by clinching Game 1 in overtime.
This time, it didn’t take three extra periods like it did when Petr Klima played the hero. Instead, Leon Draisaitl delivered the decisive blow with a power-play goal at 19:29 of the first overtime, lifting Edmonton to a 4–3 win. The moment carried extra weight for an Oilers team still stinging from losing the first three games in the 2024 Final and ultimately falling in seven.
Facing a 3–1 deficit early in the second period—following Sam Bennett’s second goal of the night and 12th of the playoffs—the Oilers rallied back against the defending champion Florida Panthers.
Connor McDavid sparked the comeback with a pinpoint assist on Mattias Ekholm’s equalizer, then delivered an even sharper feed to Draisaitl for the game-winner. The Hart Trophy finalist now has three overtime goals this postseason, tying the NHL record.
Just as the game seemed destined for a second overtime, a delay of game penalty against Florida’s Tomas Nosek—after he sent the puck over the glass—gave Edmonton the opening they needed.
The loss marked a rare stumble for the Panthers under coach Paul Maurice, who had been 29-0 in playoff games when leading after two periods over the past three seasons.
The series continues Friday night in Edmonton (8 p.m. ET on TNT and truTV).
Game 1 Highlights: Oilers vs. Panthers
Final Score: Edmonton Oilers 4, Florida Panthers 3 (OT)
Game-Winner: Leon Draisaitl buries a feed from Connor McDavid in front of the net to seal the victory.
Stanley Cup Final Game 1: Live Highlights Recap – Oilers vs. Panthers
Oilers Power Play Opportunity
With 1:43 left in overtime, Florida’s Tomas Nosek is whistled for delay of game after sending the puck over the glass—giving Edmonton a critical power play.
Midway Through Overtime
Sergei Bobrovsky keeps the Panthers alive, turning away two close-range attempts from Mattias Ekholm just before the scheduled ice cleanup.
Bobrovsky’s Big Save
The Panthers goalie slides post-to-post to rob Trent Frederic, preserving the 3–3 tie.
Close Call for Edmonton
Kasperi Kapanen breaks through the Panthers defense and rings one off the post. He’s already scored an OT goal earlier in these playoffs.
Overtime Begins
Veterans Corey Perry and Carter Verhaeghe start the extra period with five career OT playoff goals each; Brad Marchand isn’t far behind with four.
End of Regulation: Tied 3–3
Third Period Wrap-Up
The Oilers dominate the final frame, outshooting the Panthers 14–2. Mattias Ekholm buries a crisp feed from Connor McDavid—threaded past multiple Panthers sticks—from the goal line to level the score.
Edmonton’s Comeback Complete
Down 3–1 early in the second, the Oilers claw back to tie it by the third, forcing sudden death.
Late Third Period Action
Final Minute
Still tied. Faceoff deep in Florida’s zone following an icing call.
Unforced Error by Bobrovsky
A misplayed pass by the Panthers netminder gives Edmonton two good chances, but Bobrovsky recovers to stop them both.
Under 8 Minutes to Go
Still locked at 3–3 as both teams tighten up defensively.
Score Update: 3–3
Mattias Ekholm finds the back of the net at 6:33 of the third, assisted by Connor McDavid. Ekholm, back from injury, now has a goal and assist in two games.
Second Period Summary
Start of Third
Edmonton begins with 47 seconds of carry-over power play time. Florida kills it off. The Panthers were 31–0 under coach Paul Maurice when leading after one or two periods—until now.
End of Second: Panthers 3, Oilers 2
Sam Bennett scores his second of the night (12th of the playoffs) as Florida controls the second period, outshooting Edmonton 17–8. A goal from Viktor Arvidsson keeps the Oilers within one. Stuart Skinner regains composure after Bennett’s goal. Florida’s Jonah Gadjovich exits early in the second and doesn’t return.
Oilers Power Play Late in Second
Evan Rodrigues is called for high-sticking Leon Draisaitl, sending Edmonton to the power play with 1:13 left. Bobrovsky makes key stops, and 47 seconds of the penalty will carry into the third.
Midway Through Second Period
Edmonton struggles offensively, managing just two shots—though one results in a goal.
Score Update: Panthers 3, Oilers 2
Viktor Arvidsson cuts the deficit 77 seconds after Florida’s third goal, beating a screened Bobrovsky glove-side.
End of First Period: Panthers 2, Oilers 1
Edmonton opened strong, with Leon Draisaitl scoring just 66 seconds into the game and the Oilers outshooting Florida 14–7 in the opening frame. But the Panthers took advantage of a failed Edmonton challenge to shift momentum. After Sam Bennett’s goal was upheld—despite goaltender interference concerns—the Oilers were penalized, and Brad Marchand capitalized on the ensuing power play to give Florida a 2–1 lead.
Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky was outstanding throughout, making multiple rapid-fire saves. Even on the Draisaitl goal, he turned aside two chances before finally being beaten. Bennett, meanwhile, now has 11 goals in the postseason.
Key First-Period Moments
Oilers Power Play (4-on-3)
Following a flurry of penalties, Edmonton earned a 4-on-3 advantage. Their home playoff power play has been lethal at 56%. They moved the puck well, but Bobrovsky denied Draisaitl on their best look. Florida killed the penalty successfully.
Score Update: Panthers 2, Oilers 1
Brad Marchand nets Florida’s second goal moments after Edmonton’s failed challenge gave the Panthers a power play. He one-times a cross-ice feed past Stuart Skinner to flip the lead.
Score Update: Panthers 1, Oilers 1
Sam Bennett scores after redirecting Carter Verhaeghe’s shot into the net while falling into the goalie. Edmonton challenged for goaltender interference, arguing Bennett knocked into Stuart Skinner, but the officials ruled he was pushed and allowed the goal. Florida headed to a power play after the failed challenge.
Panthers Power Play
Corey Perry was assessed a high-sticking penalty, sending Florida to the man advantage. Their playoff power play has converted at 23.2%, while Edmonton’s penalty kill has struggled at 66%. Connor McDavid, on the kill, nearly scored short-handed, ringing one off the crossbar. Edmonton survived the penalty.
Stuart Skinner Save
The Oilers goalie made a big stop on Sam Bennett, who had a partial breakaway. McDavid hustled back defensively to assist.
Score Update: Oilers 1, Panthers 0
Leon Draisaitl opened the scoring at 1:06. Jake Walman’s point shot was stopped, as was Kasperi Kapanen’s rebound, but the puck squirted out to Draisaitl, who buried it. A big moment for him after going scoreless in last year’s Final while playing through injury.
Where to Watch the Stanley Cup Final
You can stream the Stanley Cup Final live on Max and Sling TV.
Starting Lineups Confirmed
The matchup opens with star power: Connor McDavid’s line takes the ice for Edmonton, going head-to-head against Aleksander Barkov’s line for Florida. On defense, the Oilers roll out Mattias Ekholm and Evan Bouchard, while the Panthers counter with Seth Jones and Niko Mikkola. In goal, it’s Stuart Skinner vs. Sergei Bobrovsky.
Starting Lineup Preview (Pre-Game Note)
Prior to confirmation, lineup reports indicated a marquee showdown: Edmonton’s top unit led by Connor McDavid, arguably the NHL’s best player, against Florida’s Aleksander Barkov, a three-time Selke Trophy winner. A pure “strength vs. strength” battle to open the series.
Connor Brown Returns to Lineup
Connor Brown is officially back for the Oilers after missing time with injury. His return bumps Jeff Skinner from the lineup. Skinner, in his first career playoff appearance, made an impact with a goal in the Game 5 series-clincher earlier in the postseason.
Last Canadian Team to Win the Stanley Cup
The last time a Canadian team hoisted the Cup was in 1993, when the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Los Angeles Kings in five games. Since then, Canadian teams have made eight Final appearances—including the Oilers three times—but none have broken the drought. Edmonton is now just the second Canadian team to enter the Final with home-ice advantage since 1993, joining the 2011 Vancouver Canucks. Top Scorers for Edmonton Oilers
McDavid leads with 26 points, followed closely by Draisaitl (25), Nugent-Hopkins (18), and Bouchard (17). Draisaitl and Perry share the team lead with seven goals each.
Florida Panthers’ Leading Point Producers
The Panthers boast 10 players with double-digit points, led by Barkov (17), Tkachuk (16), and Bennett (16). Bennett tops the playoffs with 10 goals.
Goaltending Showdown
Oilers’ Stuart Skinner (6-4, 2.53 GAA, .904 SV%) vs. Panthers’ Sergei Bobrovsky (12-5, 2.11 GAA, .912 SV%).
Gary Bettman on Overtime Format
The NHL commissioner says the league will not extend regular-season overtime despite shootout frequency, citing injury risks and fan interest in shootouts.
Olympics Update
Bettman confirms no Russian teams will participate in the 2026 Winter Olympics, per IOC guidelines.
NHL Expansion Status
Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly states that although cities have shown interest, the league will not pursue formal expansion at this time.
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