By Avry Jones
Photo Credit: Codie McLachlan/Getty Images
The 2025 Stanley Cup Finals kicked off with an electrifying Game 1 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, where the Oilers staged a dramatic comeback to defeat the Panthers 4-3 in overtime.
A Fast-Paced Start
Edmonton wasted no time making an impact, as Leon Draisaitl opened the scoring just 66 seconds into the game, capitalizing on a rebound from Sergei Bobrovsky. However, Florida responded swiftly, with Sam Bennett netting a controversial goal after being pushed into Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner, a call upheld after a review. The Panthers then took the lead on a power-play goal from Brad Marchand, marking their 50th road goal of the postseason—a new NHL record.
Momentum Swings in the Second Period
Florida extended their lead early in the second period, with Bennett scoring again, assisted by Nate Schmidt and Carter Verhaeghe. But Edmonton answered quickly, as Viktor Arvidsson found the net just 77 seconds later, keeping the game within reach. The Panthers maintained their 3-2 lead heading into the final period, despite Edmonton turning up offensive pressure.
Oilers Dominate the Third Period
The Oilers controlled possession in the third, outshooting the Panthers 14-2. Their persistence paid off when Mattias Ekholm tied the game at 13:27, assisted by Connor McDavid. Florida struggled to clear the puck, committing multiple icing violations as Edmonton pressed for a winning goal.
Overtime Drama
Florida started overtime with energy but soon found themselves on the defensive. A costly penalty by Tomáš Nosek, who sent the puck out of play, gave Edmonton a power-play opportunity. The Oilers capitalized, with Draisaitl scoring his second goal of the night at 19:29 of overtime, securing the Game 1 victory. The total shots on goal were in favor of Edmonton, having 38 versus Florida’s 27.
Looking Ahead
With Edmonton taking a 1-0 series lead, the Panthers will look to regroup for Game 2, set to take place Friday night in Edmonton. The Oilers, fueled by their comeback win, will aim to build momentum as they chase their first Stanley Cup since 1990. This game sets the tone for what promises to be an intense series.
Avry Jones is a contributor to The MMM Journal. She can be reached at avryjones@comcast.net
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