In an exhilarating Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals, the Edmonton Oilers triumphed over the Florida Panthers with a score of 4-3 in overtime on Wednesday night. The highlight of the match was undoubtedly Leon Draisaitl, who not only opened the scoring just 66 seconds into the first period but also netted the decisive goal in overtime.
Draisaitl's first goal came from a rebound after he took advantage of the Panthers' netminder Sergei Bobrovsky, firing the puck past him with assistance from teammates Kasperi Kapanen and Jake Walman. This fast start energized the home crowd and set the tone for an intensely competitive game.
GOTTA SEE IT: TALK ABOUT A HOT START FOR THE HOME TEAM!!!
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 5, 2025
Leon Draisaitl scores his first career #StanleyCup Final goal to give the Oilers the first lead of Game 1
Presented by Moosehead Breweries ???????? pic.twitter.com/uwRzSZzILD
However, midway through the first period, Sam Bennett brought the Panthers back into the game by scoring the equalizer. Despite the Oilers' attempt to challenge the goal, it was upheld, as officials deemed the actions of Walman led to the contact with Stuart Skinner, the Oilers' goalie.
Following Bennett's goal, Brad Marchand put the Panthers in front on a power play, receiving a pass from Nate Schmidt and slipping the puck past Skinner. The Panthers seemed to seize momentum as they took a 2-1 lead.
As tensions rose, the Oilers were presented with their own power play opportunity, only for it to quickly shift to a four-on-four situation when Corey Perry committed a tripping penalty. With a brief four-on-three man advantage later, the Oilers were unable to capitalize on the opportunity to score.
In the second period, the scoring continued as Bennett netted his second goal of the game, courtesy of another pass from Schmidt. He deftly maneuvered with the puck, using backhand and forehand moves to put it past Skinner, improving the Panthers' lead to 3-1.
But the Oilers answered swiftly. Just 1:17 later, Viktor Arvidsson found the back of the net, firing a shot that beat Bobrovsky, cutting the Panthers' lead to 3-2. Vasily Podkolzin and Evan Bouchard assisted on this crucial goal.
IT'S AN ARVY PARTY IN OIL COUNTRY ????️ pic.twitter.com/qmFTJSjGF0
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 5, 2025
The drama unfolded further as the Oilers leveled the contest in the third period. At the 6:33 mark, Mattias Ekholm wristed a shot past Bobrovsky, tying the game at 3-3 with assists from Connor McDavid and Kapanen, sending the game into a nail-biting final phase.
MATTIAS EKHOLM HAS HIS FIRST OF THE PLAYOFFS!! pic.twitter.com/v79ye0WyXK
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 5, 2025
As overtime approached its conclusion, it was Draisaitl who emerged as the game-winner once again. With only 29 seconds remaining, on a late power play, Perry executed a no-look pass to McDavid, who expertly flipped the puck to Draisaitl, leading to his second goal of the night. He fired it past Bobrovsky, sealing a thrilling victory for the Oilers and giving them a 1-0 series lead.
GAME 1 BELONGS TO THE OILERS ????️????️????️
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 5, 2025
Leon Draisaitl scores the Subway Canada OT winner to give the Oilers the 1-0 series lead in the #StanleyCup Final ???? pic.twitter.com/iiXLfqxsnD
With the first game concluded, the Oilers will look to build on their momentum in Game 2, scheduled for Friday in Edmonton.
