The Edmonton Oilers have done something that hasn’t been done since 1919. They’ve come back from a 3-0 first-period deficit to win a Stanley Cup Final game on the road.
Not just win it – they’ve done it in overtime on 12 June, 5-4, to level the series at 2-2 and give themselves a lifeline in what looked like a lost cause.
Leon Draisaitl was the hero again, scoring his fourth overtime winner of these playoffs at 11:18 of sudden death. That’s an NHL record, by the way. When the pressure’s on, the German forward delivers.
But let’s be honest – this shouldn’t have happened. The Panthers (2.60) had them dead and buried after 20 minutes at Amerant Bank Arena. Three goals up, controlling every aspect of the game, outshooting Edmonton 17-7 in that opening period.
The numbers tell the story of Florida’s dominance early on. Matthew Tkachuk scored twice on the power play, taking advantage of Edmonton’s penalty troubles. Just like Game 3 when they took four penalties and lost 6-1, the Oilers (2.22) were their own worst enemy again.
Three penalties in the first period. Two power-play goals against. Same old story.
But then something changed.
The Turning Point
Coach Kris Knoblauch made the call that saved Edmonton’s season. Stuart Skinner, who’d faced 17 shots and let in three goals, was pulled for Calvin Pickard.
“Our team was flat,” Knoblauch said after the match. “We needed to change things up.”
It worked. Pickard came in and stopped 22 of 23 shots over 51 minutes. The one goal he let in? Sam Reinhart’s equaliser came with 19.5 seconds left in regulation. Otherwise, he was rock solid.
The statistics back up Pickard’s performance. In high-pressure situations throughout these playoffs, he’s been brilliant. His save percentage in relief appearances has been outstanding, and last night was no different.
The Numbers Game
Here’s what makes this comeback so remarkable:
- First time since 1919 that a team has come back from 3-0 after one period to win a Cup Final game on the road
- Draisaitl’s fourth overtime winner breaks the previous NHL playoff record of three
- Edmonton outshot Florida 17-10 in the second period, completely flipping the script
- The Oilers are now 7-2 at Rogers Place these playoffs
Three of the four games in this series have gone to overtime. That’s mental. Both teams are pushing each other to the absolute limit.
The Fightback
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins got them on the board first in the second period, his sixth goal of the playoffs. Then Darnell Nurse with a brilliant, sharp-angle shot whilst streaking down the left wing. Vasily Podkolzin tied it up with a backhand rebound.
But it was Jake Walman who gave them the lead for the first time all night. With 6:24 left in regulation, he unleashed a rocket from the right side after Mattias Janmark and Kasperi Kapanen forced a turnover.
“That’s kind of the MO of our team,” Walman said. “Hard on the forecheck, turn the puck over.”
The lead lasted until Reinhart’s late equaliser, but Edmonton weren’t done.
McDavid’s Influence
Connor McDavid didn’t get on the scoresheet, but his presence was felt throughout. The captain had several chances, including an open slot shot that Sergei Bobrovsky somehow stopped.
But here’s the thing about McDavid – even when he’s not scoring, he’s creating. His speed and skill open up space for teammates. That’s leadership.
The Oilers’ power play, which had been struggling, started clicking again. They converted one of their four chances, a marked improvement from their recent form.
Looking Ahead
The series heads back to Edmonton for Game 5 on 15 June. Rogers Place will be bouncing. The atmosphere there is something special, and the Oilers feed off that energy.
They’re 7-2 at home these playoffs. Those numbers matter.
“I don’t think there’s a better place to experience a hockey game than in Edmonton,” Knoblauch said. “The atmosphere with the fans, the excitement in the building and around the city.”
This is now a best-of-three series. Both teams know what’s at stake.
Florida Panthers will be kicking themselves. They had this match won after one period. Out of 500 computer simulations run before the game, Edmonton only won 12.2% of the time. They defied those odds completely.
But that’s playoff hockey. That’s why they play the games.
The Oilers have shown they can come back from anything. Down 3-1 in the second round against Vancouver, they won three straight. Down 2-1 against Dallas in the conference final, they took three of the next four.
Now they’ve done something unprecedented in Cup Final history.
Saturday night in Edmonton can’t come soon enough. This series is far from over.
