Oilers Secure Game 1 Overtime Victory Over Panthers in Stanley Cup Final

Thanks to the potent combination of Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, the Edmonton Oilers hold a 1-0 series lead in the Stanley Cup Final. The dynamic duo teamed up to score the game-winning goal in overtime, securing a 4-3 victory over the Florida Panthers in Game 1.

Draisaitl made an immediate impact. Just 66 seconds into the game, he buried a rebound opportunity, marking the fastest goal to start a Stanley Cup Final since 1976.

To their credit, the Panthers battled back fiercely. They scored three consecutive goals, two of which came from playoff workhorse Sam Bennett, establishing a 3-2 lead heading into the third period.

Typically, such a lead proves insurmountable for the Panthers` opponents, but not for the Oilers. Edmonton needed a crucial play, and they got it when McDavid positioned himself in “Gretzky`s office” behind the net and found Mattias Ekholm driving towards the high slot. Ekholm received the pass and blasted a shot past Sergei Bobrovsky to tie the game at 3-3.

In overtime, both teams exchanged chances, but Florida forward Tomas Nosek made a critical error, flipping the puck over the glass and incurring a delay of game penalty. This gave the Oilers` explosive power play an opportunity, and McDavid and Draisaitl connected for a fantastic one-timer, sealing the win and a 1-0 series advantage.

Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner had a slightly shaky start but recovered remarkably well after the Panthers took their 3-1 lead. He ultimately stopped 29 of the 32 shots he faced, including several significant saves in overtime.

Stanley Cup Final Schedule and Results

Edmonton Oilers vs. Florida Panthers

Game 1: Oilers 4, Panthers 3 (OT)
Game 2: Friday, June 6 | at EDM | 8 p.m.
Game 3: Monday, June 9 | at FLA | 8 p.m.
Game 4: Thursday, June 12 | at FLA | 8 p.m.
*Game 5: Saturday, June 14 | at EDM | 8 p.m.
*Game 6: Tuesday, June 17 | at FLA | 8 p.m.
*Game 7: Friday, June 20 | at EDM | 8 p.m.

Western Conference Final

(2) Dallas Stars vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers

Game 1: Stars 6, Oilers 3
Game 2: Oilers 3, Stars 0
Game 3: Oilers 6, Stars 1
Game 4: Oilers 4, Stars 1
Game 5: Oilers 6, Stars 3

Eastern Conference Final

(2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (3) Florida Panthers

Game 1: Panthers 5, Hurricanes 2
Game 2: Panthers 5, Hurricanes 0
Game 3: Panthers 6, Hurricanes 2
Game 4: Hurricanes 3, Panthers 0
Game 5: Panthers 5, Hurricanes 3

Round 2

(1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (3) Florida Panthers

Game 1: Maple Leafs 5, Panthers 4
Game 2: Maple Leafs 4, Panthers 3
Game 3: Panthers 5, Maple Leafs 4 (OT)
Game 4: Panthers 2, Maple Leafs 0
Game 5: Panthers 6, Maple Leafs 1
Game 6: Maple Leafs 2, Panthers 0
Game 7: Panthers 6, Maple Leafs 1

(1) Washington Capitals vs. (2) Carolina Hurricanes

Game 1: Hurricanes 2, Capitals 1 (OT)
Game 2: Capitals 3, Hurricanes 1
Game 3: Hurricanes 4, Capitals 0
Game 4: Hurricanes 5, Capitals 2
Game 5: Hurricanes 3, Capitals 1

(1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (2) Dallas Stars

Game 1: Stars 3, Jets 2
Game 2: Jets 4, Stars 0
Game 3: Stars 5, Jets 2
Game 4: Stars 3, Jets 1
Game 5: Jets 4, Stars 0
Game 6: Stars 2, Jets 1 (OT)

(1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers

Game 1: Oilers 4, Golden Knights 2
Game 2: Oilers 5, Golden Knights 4 (OT)
Game 3: Golden Knights 4, Oilers 3
Game 4: Oilers 3, Golden Knights 0
Game 5: Oilers 1, Golden Knights 0 (OT)

Round 1

(1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (WC1) Ottawa Senators

Game 1: Maple Leafs 6, Senators 2
Game 2: Maple Leafs 3, Senators 2 (OT)
Game 3: Maple Leafs 3, Senators 2 (OT)
Game 4: Senators 4, Maple Leafs 3 (OT)
Game 5: Senators 4, Maple Leafs 0
Game 6: Maple Leafs 4, Senators 2

(2) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (3) Florida Panthers

Game 1: Panthers 6, Lightning 2
Game 2: Panthers 2, Lightning 0
Game 3: Lightning 5, Panthers 1
Game 4: Panthers 4, Lightning 2
Game 5: Panthers 6, Lightning 3

(1) Washington Capitals vs. (WC2) Montreal Canadiens

Game 1: Capitals 3, Canadiens 2 (OT)
Game 2: Capitals 3, Canadiens 1
Game 3: Canadiens 6, Capitals 3
Game 4: Capitals 5, Canadiens 2
Game 5: Capitals 4, Canadiens 1

(2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (3) New Jersey Devils

Game 1: Hurricanes 4, Devils 1
Game 2: Hurricanes 3, Devils 1
Game 3: Devils 3, Hurricanes 2 (2OT)
Game 4: Hurricanes 5, Devils 2
Game 5: Hurricanes 5, Devils 4 (2OT)

(1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (WC2) St. Louis Blues

Game 1: Jets 5, Blues 3
Game 2: Jets 2, Blues 1
Game 3: Blues 7, Jets 2
Game 4: Blues 5, Jets 1
Game 5: Jets 5, Blues 3
Game 6: Blues 5, Jets 2
Game 7: Jets 4, Blues 3 (2OT)

(2) Dallas Stars vs. (3) Colorado Avalanche

Game 1: Avalanche 5, Stars 1
Game 2: Stars 4, Avalanche 3 (OT)
Game 3: Stars 2, Avalanche 1 (OT)
Game 4: Avalanche 4, Stars 0
Game 5: Stars 6, Avalanche 2
Game 6: Avalanche 7, Stars 4
Game 7: Stars 4, Avalanche 2

(1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (WC1) Minnesota Wild

Game 1: Golden Knights 4, Wild 2
Game 2: Wild 5, Golden Knights 2
Game 3: Wild 5, Golden Knights 2
Game 4: Golden Knights 4, Wild 3 (OT)
Game 5: Golden Knights 3, Wild 2 (OT)
Game 6: Golden Knights 3, Wild 2

(2) Los Angeles Kings vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers

Game 1: Kings 6, Oilers 5
Game 2: Kings 6, Oilers 2
Game 3: Oilers 7, Kings 4
Game 4: Oilers 4, Kings 3 (OT)
Game 5: Oilers 3, Kings 1
Game 6: Oilers 6, Kings 4