In a night destined for the record books, the Edmonton Oilers pulled off the greatest road comeback in a Stanley Cup Final in over a century. Down three goals to the Florida Panthers, the Oilers stormed back to win 5-4 in overtime, tying the series 2-2 and sending the Cup Final back to Canada with renewed fire and belief.
A comeback 106 years in the making
On Thursday night at Amerant Bank Arena, history was rewritten. Facing a daunting 3-0 deficit after the first period, the Edmonton Oilers clawed back to defeat the Florida Panthers in an electrifying 5-4 overtime victory—marking the largest road comeback in a Stanley Cup Final since 1919. It was only the sixth time in NHL history that a team erased a three-goal deficit to win in the Final, and the first to do so away from home in over a century.
Florida looked to be in complete control after two power-play goals from Matthew Tkachuk and an even-strength tally from Anton Lundell gave the Panthers a commanding lead heading into the first intermission. But as Taylor Swift and NFL star Travis Kelce watched from the stands, the Oilers delivered a masterclass in resilience. “It’s not ideal to dig ourselves into a hole, but we just keep grinding,” said Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl after the game. “That’s who we are—we don’t quit.”
Momentum swings and a new hero emerges
In need of a spark, Edmonton head coach Kris Knoblauch turned to backup goalie Calvin Pickard to start the second period, replacing Stuart Skinner after a rough opening 20 minutes. The switch seemed to ignite something in the Oilers. Goals from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Darnell Nurse, and Vasily Podkolzin brought the game level by the end of the second frame, leaving the Florida crowd stunned.
By the time Jake Walman gave the Oilers a 4-3 lead late in the third period, the improbable comeback had transformed into a very real threat. Yet with just 19.5 seconds left on the clock, Florida’s Sam Reinhart found the net, tying the game and sending it to overtime. That’s when Draisaitl, already the Game 1 overtime hero, struck again. Just over 11 minutes into the extra period, the German forward buried his fourth OT goal of the playoffs—a new NHL record for most in a single postseason—silencing the home fans and tying the series.
Draisaitl stays focused on the mission
Despite the personal milestone, Draisaitl kept his focus on the bigger goal. “I’ll take it, but we’ve got more work to do,” he said postgame. “Records are nice, but we’re here to win the Cup.”
The 29-year-old forward has been a force throughout the postseason, and his ability to deliver in clutch moments has made him a central figure in Edmonton’s quest to bring the Stanley Cup back to Canada for the first time since 1993. With his fourth overtime goal of the playoffs, Draisaitl not only etched his name into the record books but also lifted the spirit of a franchise desperate for championship glory. Still, the Oilers know they can’t rely on dramatic comebacks forever. “We need to find ways to start better,” Draisaitl admitted. “But credit to our team—we don’t fold. We respond.”
From collapse to confidence
For the Panthers, who dominated Game 3 and opened Game 4 in similar fashion, the loss was a gut punch. They had every reason to believe the series could be theirs after a first-period barrage that left Edmonton reeling. But hockey is a game of momentum, and once the Oilers found theirs, there was no stopping it.
The decision to bench Skinner may have been pivotal, but it was the Oilers’ collective willpower that truly turned the tide. With their backs against the wall and a hostile crowd roaring against them, Edmonton played with purpose, poise, and an undeniable sense of belief. “We knew we had it in us,” said defenseman Darnell Nurse. “This is a team that battles for every inch. We trust each other, and tonight, that belief paid off.”
All tied up heading north
With the series now tied at 2-2, the Stanley Cup Final returns to Edmonton for Game 5 on Saturday at Rogers Place, where a frenzied home crowd awaits. The Oilers have seized the momentum, but the series has shown just how fragile and unpredictable playoff hockey can be. Both teams have proven they can dominate for stretches—and collapse just as quickly. That sets the stage for what promises to be an epic conclusion to a series already brimming with drama, resilience, and heroics.
As the hockey world watches, Edmonton carries a historic comeback and a wave of confidence back to Canada. If Game 4 was any indication, this series is far from over—and the Oilers may just be getting started.
