In a gripping Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final, the Florida Panthers initially dominated the Edmonton Oilers with a 3-0 lead. However, the Oilers mounted an impressive comeback, ultimately clinching a 5-4 victory in overtime. Oilers star Leon Draisaitl scored the game-winning goal at 11:18 into the extra period, tying the series at 2-2.
The Panthers, defending champions looking for a repeat, saw their strong start, bolstered by an aggressive first period, diminish as the game progressed. After falling behind, Edmonton’s veteran players rallied to net four unanswered goals and take a surprising lead. Despite a late equalizer from Florida’s Sam Reinhart with just 19.5 seconds left in regulation—marking the second-latest tying goal in Stanley Cup Final history—the damage was done.
Matthew Tkachuk reflected on the team’s performance, stating, “We carried play in the first, they carried it in the second. Special teams were good for us in the first, special teams were good for them in the second.” He emphasized the need to reset and approach each period with a fresh mindset.
The series has turned into a back-and-forth battle, with three of the four games extending into overtime. This matchup has been particularly fierce, making it only the eighth Stanley Cup final where at least three games required extra time. Remarkably, the Oilers became the first team in 106 years to come back from a three-goal deficit in a Stanley Cup final game since the Montreal Canadiens did it against the Seattle Metropolitans in 1919.
Despite the disappointing result, Florida coach Paul Maurice praised the intensity and competitiveness displayed on the ice. “I think we focus on sometimes the mistakes that get made by good players at times, and you miss some of the heart and soul and the intensity of it,” he said.
Tkachuk’s and Anton Lundell’s early power-play goals had given Florida a promising start, yet they succumbed to pressure as Edmonton took control. Reinhart acknowledged a drop in their play, noting, “I think we were watching the play develop, as opposed to playing on our toes.”
The Oilers, benefiting from pivotal goals by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Darnell Nurse, and Vasily Podkolzin in the second period, solidified their comeback. The team’s momentum surged further after head coach Kris Knoblauch decided to pull starting goaltender Stuart Skinner in favor of Calvin Pickard after conceding three goals in the opening period.
High-profile fans in attendance included Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, whose presence stirred considerable excitement. The couple has gained media attention for their public appearances at various sporting events this year. Among the other notable attendees were hockey legends Wayne Gretzky, Jaromir Jagr, Henrik Lundqvist, as well as former NFL player Jason Taylor and Miami Heat stars Bam Adebayo and Udonis Haslem.
As the series moves back to Edmonton, the Panthers remain resilient. “The more times you go through it, the better,” Reinhart said of their experience. With both teams displaying determination, the battle for the Stanley Cup is far from over.