Oilers overcome Panthers with Draisaitl's overtime heroics

On June 12, 2025, in Sunrise, Florida, the Edmonton Oilers faced off against the Florida Panthers in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final. The match saw the Panthers quickly jumping ahead, leading 3-0 in the first period thanks to two goals from Matthew Tkachuk and another by Anton Lundell just before the intermission. This prompted Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch to replace starting goalie Stuart Skinner with backup Calvin Pickard after Skinner allowed three goals on 17 shots. Pickard's replacement marked a turning point as he made 22 saves, keeping the Oilers in the game. The Oilers responded with tenacity, scoring power play goals early in the second period, beginning with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Darnell Nurse and Vasily Podkolzin also scored, allowing the Oilers to tie the game at 3-3 by the end of the second period. In a thrilling third period, the Oilers took their first lead with a goal from Jake Walman. However, Sam Reinhart leveled the score again with just 19.5 seconds left in regulation, forcing the game into overtime. In the overtime period, Leon Draisaitl executed a remarkable one-handed shot to seal the victory for the Oilers, highlighting their incredible comeback from being down three goals earlier in the match. This marked Draisaitl's fourth overtime goal this playoffs and allowed the Oilers to tie the series at two games apiece. The outcome not only energized the Edmonton fans present but also underscored the thrilling and competitive nature of the playoff series between these two heavyweights in the NHL. The Oilers' triumph also marked an historical moment, as it was the first time a road team had come back from trailing by three goals to win in the Stanley Cup Final since 1919. As the series moves back to Edmonton for Game 5, both teams remain within striking distance of winning the championship, making it an exciting and closely contested series that could still go either way.