In a thrilling Game 4 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, the Edmonton Oilers pulled off a historic 5-4 overtime win against the Florida Panthers, evening the series at 2-2. This wasn’t just another victory — it marked the first time in 106 years that a road team overcame a deficit of at least three goals to win in the Stanley Cup Final.
The last time such a feat was accomplished was in 1919, when the Montreal Canadiens did it against the Seattle Metropolitans.
Leon Draisaitl emerged as the hero once again, scoring his 11th goal of the playoffs and a record-breaking fourth overtime game-winner of the postseason — the most in NHL playoff history. He also led the league in regular-season overtime goals with six. His clutch performance came in a game where the Oilers were trailing 3-0 after the first period, showing the team’s incredible resilience.
Corey Perry’s Leadership and Pickard’s Heroics Spark Oilers’ Remarkable Game 4 Turnaround
The team’s turnaround began with a fiery intermission speech from veteran Corey Perry, who used his two decades of NHL experience to inspire his teammates. While the contents of his message remained private, the impact was evident. Draisaitl highlighted that Perry’s rare but powerful words demanded respect and attention, serving as the catalyst for the Oilers’ comeback in the second period.
Oilers Make History With Epic Comeback Win Over Panthers to Tie Stanley Cup Final 2-2Goaltending was once again a focal point. Stuart Skinner started Game 4 after being pulled in Game 3, but was replaced mid-game by Calvin Pickard after allowing three goals on 17 shots. Pickard responded brilliantly, making 22 saves and becoming the sixth goalie in history to win a Stanley Cup Final game in relief. His composure under pressure, particularly a key glove save in overtime, was crucial to Edmonton’s win.
Panthers Collapse After Early Dominance as Oilers Complete Stunning Comeback in Overtime Win
The Panthers dominated the first period, scoring three times — including two power-play goals from Matthew Tkachuk — while the Oilers struggled with penalties and shaky defense. Despite Edmonton’s rocky start and Skinner’s struggles, Florida failed to maintain control. Their lead began to crumble in the second period as the Oilers scored three unanswered goals, including a power-play conversion by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
The momentum shifted completely in the second and third periods. Edmonton took a 4-3 lead in the third after Jake Walman’s goal, only for Florida’s Sam Reinhart to tie it with just 20 seconds left in regulation. In overtime, both teams had chances, but it was Draisaitl who sealed the deal at 11:18 with a shot that deflected off Florida’s Niko Mikkola and past goalie Sergei Bobrovsky.
With the series now tied 2-2, the Oilers carry significant momentum heading into Game 5. Draisaitl and Connor McDavid are tied with 32 points each in the playoffs, placing them in elite company alongside Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier. For Florida, the missed opportunity to take a commanding 3-1 series lead now puts added pressure on them to respond in Game 5, which, as Tkachuk noted, is now part of a “best-of-three” battle for the Cup.
