Edmonton Oilers vs Panthers Game 1 Recap: OT Thriller Sets the Tone
New York: The 2025 Stanley Cup Final kicked off with exactly the kind of fireworks hockey fans live for. The Edmonton Oilers, still haunted by last year’s heartbreak, entered the series against the defending champion Florida Panthers with something to prove—and they delivered in dramatic fashion.
In front of a roaring crowd at Rogers Place, the Oilers overcame a two-goal deficit to pull off a 4–3 overtime win. It was a game that had everything: momentum shifts, highlight-reel goals, and a clutch finish by one of the game’s biggest stars—Leon Draisaitl. The message? This series is going to be an all-out war.
Oilers Win Game 1 in OT – Here’s How It Happened
Edmonton didn’t waste any time making their presence known. Leon Draisaitl opened the scoring just 66 seconds into the first period with a snapshot that beat Sergei Bobrovsky clean. But the Panthers roared back—Sam Bennett scored twice and Brad Marchand added another on the power play, putting Florida up 3–1.
Then came the comeback. Viktor Arvidsson and Mattias Ekholm scored in the third period to tie it 3–3. Florida’s Tomas Nosek took a costly delay-of-game penalty late in overtime—and Draisaitl made them pay, sniping the game-winner on the power play with just 31 seconds left in OT.
According to Fox Sports, Game 1 proved why this rematch could become a classic series. The Panthers looked dominant early, but their late-game collapse echoes a trend that’s rare but dangerous at this level.
Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid Deliver for Edmonton
Leon Draisaitl continues to prove he’s built for big moments. His OT goal marked his ninth of the playoffs and tied an NHL record with his third overtime goal of the postseason. Connor McDavid also added two critical assists, quietly running the show and pushing the Oilers’ tempo.
Stuart Skinner stood tall in net with 29 saves. Despite early pressure, he stayed composed and kept the Panthers scoreless in the third period and overtime.
Did the Panthers Choke? Signs of Trouble in Game 1
Florida looked confident for two and a half periods—but then the cracks began to show. As ESPN notes in their post-game analysis, the Panthers’ Game 1 collapse was statistically rare. Teams with a 2+ goal lead in the Final usually close. They didn’t.
Tomas Nosek’s penalty was avoidable, and defensive breakdowns late in the third left Bobrovsky exposed. For a team that prided itself on structure last postseason, this performance may raise concerns in the locker room.
Stanley Cup Final 2025 Game 2 – When & Where to Watch
- Game 2: Friday, June 6 – Rogers Place, Edmonton
- Game 3: Monday, June 9 – FLA Live Arena, Florida
- Game 4: Wednesday, June 11 – Florida
- Game 5 (if needed): June 13 – Edmonton
- Game 6 (if needed): June 16 – Florida
- Game 7 (if needed): June 20 – Edmonton
Watch live on TNT or stream on Max, Sling TV, or DirecTV Stream.
What to Expect in Game 2: Can the Panthers Respond?
The Panthers are seasoned, but this kind of emotional loss can rattle even the best. Expect a physical, maybe even heated, Game 2. Edmonton will look to build on its offensive rhythm, while Florida needs to return to disciplined defense—and give Bobrovsky more support in front.
McDavid and Draisaitl are locked in. If the Panthers want to even the series, they’ll need to limit second-chance opportunities and find ways to slow Edmonton’s deadly power play.
Fast Facts & Fan Buzz
- Draisaitl now leads the NHL with 3 OT goals this postseason
- Sam Bennett’s 12 playoff goals are the most by any Panther in history
- Fans on X (formerly Twitter) are calling Game 1 “a mini-classic”
- Oilers have won 5 straight playoff games when trailing by 2+ goals