Stanley Cup Final: Edmonton Oilers take control, beat Florida Panthers in overtime of Game 1
The Florida Panthers are behind in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final after letting a two-goal lead slip on June 4 in Edmonton.
The Oilers dominated the third period and overtime, scoring the final three goals for a 4-3 victory in Game 1 of the championship series.
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Edmonton's Leon Draisaitl, who did not score in last year's Stanley Cup Final between the Panthers and Oilers, scored the first and last goal of the night. The German forward converted a power play opportunity in the final minute of the extra period for the game-winner.
Panthers wing Tomáš Nosek provided the man advantage after he lifted the puck out of play in his defensive end in the final two minutes of overtime. The Oilers seized the opportunity in a flurry with star Connor McDavid and eventually Draisaitl swarming Sergei Bobrovsky in the Panthers' net.
The Oilers will host Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final on Friday at 8 p.m. in Edmonton.
Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) reacts after scoring the game winning goal during overtime against the Florida Panthers in game one of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place.
More: Florida Panthers set NHL postseason record in first-period rally at Edmonton
Panthers rally in first period
Edmonton took an early lead inside two minutes after Draisaitl jumped on a loose rebound from Bobrovsky.
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Sam Bennett answered several minutes later with a controversial goal after the puck glanced off him and into the net while he was blocked into Edmonton goalie Stuart Skinner. A quick referees' review confirmed the Panthers' tying goal.
Brad Marchand gave the Panthers their first lead at 2-1 midway through the first period. Marchand's goal was the Panthers' 50th road goal of the 2025 postseason, a new NHL record.
Sam Bennett's second goal canceled out quickly
Florida took a 3-1 lead moments into the second period but the Oilers responded in less than 90 seconds as Viktor Arvidsson scored with assists from Vasily Podkolzin and Evan Bouchard.
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The pace was frenetic throughout the second period but neither team could notch another goal as Florida took a 3-2 lead into the final period.
Oilers gather momentum to force overtime
Edmonton took control of possession and shots on goal in the final period of regulation, tying at the 13:27 mark with a Matthias Ekholm goal on an assist from Connor McDavid.
The Oilers outshot the Panthers by a 14-2 margin in the third period.
Panthers on the back foot in overtime
Florida opened the overtime period with a burst of energy but quickly settled back into the defensive posture they found themselves in over the final 10 minutes of the third period.
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Bobrovsky was called up on to make multiple saves while the team struggled to clear the puck from the offensive zone, committing multiple icings in a frantic defense.
2025 Stanley Cup Final schedule
The Edmonton Oilers reacts after the game against the Florida Panthers in game one of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place.
Game 1: Edmonton, 4-3 OT (Oilers 1-0)
Game 2: June 6 in Edmonton, 8 p.m. ET
Game 3: June 9 in Sunrise, 8 p.m. ET
Game 4: June 12 in Sunrise, 8 p.m. ET
*Game 5: June 14 in Edmonton, 8 p.m. ET
*Game 6: June 17 in Sunrise, 8 p.m. ET
*Game 7: June 20 in Edmonton, 8 p.m. ET
*if necessary
Eric J. Wallace is deputy sports editor for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at ejwallace@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Stanley Cup Final: Oilers beat Panthers in overtime of Game 1
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