Oilers top Panthers 5-4 in overtime thriller to tie Stanley Cup final
Leon Draisaitl scored in overtime for the Edmonton Oilers to tie the Stanley Cup final series at two games apiece Thursday, in a thrilling game with wild momentum swings. Game 4 started with both teams getting early chances in the first period, but the Panthers quickly took control, putting pressure on Stuart Skinner who made some impressive saves.
The game saw several penalties, with the Oilers finding themselves down 3-0 after the first period. The Panthers capitalized on power play opportunities to take the lead, with goals from Matthew Tkachuk and Anton Lundell. The Oilers looked to be in trouble heading into the second period.
Coach Kris Knoblauch made a bold move by bringing in backup goalie Calvin Pickard to start the second period. The Oilers came out strong, with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scoring on a power play to get his team on the board. Darnell Nurse and Vasily Podkolzin added goals to tie the game, setting the stage for a thrilling comeback.
The third period was a tight battle, with both goalies making key saves to keep the game close. Jake Walman gave the Oilers a 4-3 lead late in the period, but the Panthers fought back with a goal from Sam Reinhart to send the game to overtime.
In the extra period, both teams had chances to win, with Pickard making a crucial save on a Sam Bennett one-timer. Leon Draisaitl sealed the victory for the Oilers with a goal that trickled past Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, giving Edmonton a 5-4 win and tying the series.
Draisaitl’s goal was his fourth overtime winner of the playoffs, setting an NHL record. The Oilers showed resilience and determination to come back from a three-goal deficit and secure the win. Coach Knoblauch praised his team’s belief and confidence, highlighting the fun and enjoyment they are experiencing in such high-stakes games.
Game 5 is set for Saturday, where the Oilers will look to carry their momentum and take the series lead. The thrilling back-and-forth action of Game 4 has set the stage for an exciting conclusion to the Stanley Cup final.
