Draisaitl's Overtime Heroics Ignite Oilers to Even Stanley Cup Final 2-2

Clearwater, Canada - In a thrilling overtime showdown, Leon Draisaitl proved to be the hero as he scored the decisive goal, leading the Edmonton Oilers to a dramatic 5-4 victory over the Florida Panthers in Game 4 of the NHL Stanley Cup Final. With this win, the series is now tied at two games apiece, setting the stage for a fierce competition as both teams eye the coveted championship.

Draisaitl found the back of the net at 11:18 of the overtime period, capping off an impressive performance that included two assists, showcasing his playmaking skills throughout the game. Other contributors to the Oilers’ scoring included Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Darnell Nurse, Vasily Podkolzin, and Jake Walman. For the Panthers, Matthew Tkachuk shone brightly, netting two goals while Anton Lundell also added a goal to his tally.

Game Highlights

The game started with excitement as Tkachuk opened the scoring for Florida at 11:40 of the first period during a two-man advantage. He quickly followed up with another goal at 16:56 on the power play, with Lundell’s goal at 19:18 elevating the Panthers to a commanding 3-0 lead. However, the Oilers were far from finished.

In the second period, the tide began to turn. Edmonton responded with three unanswered goals: Nugent-Hopkins struck at 3:33, Nurse followed at 12:47, and Podkolzin completed the comeback effort at 15:05, tying the game at 3-3.

The drama continued into the third period, where Walman scored to put Edmonton ahead 4-3 at 13:36. Yet, just when it looked like the Oilers had the game in hand, Reinhart tied it up for Florida with only 20 seconds left on the clock, sending the match into overtime.

Draisaitl’s Dominance

Draisaitl’s overtime goal marks his fourth of the 2025 playoffs, cementing his status as a key player this postseason. It also brings his total to 11 goals overall this postseason, further emphasizing his exceptional performance. Notably, Draisaitl became the first European-born player to achieve three postseasons with 30 or more points, having accomplished this feat in two consecutive seasons (2022, 2024, 2025).

In the earlier games of the series, Draisaitl had already established himself as a formidable force. In Game 1, he netted two goals, including the overtime winner, marking his first career goal in a Stanley Cup Final. His resilience is particularly commendable considering he missed 11 of the Oilers’ last 14 games before the postseason due to injuries. Words from Coach Kris Knoblauch highlight the team’s improved fitness and readiness this year, attributing their fresher legs to having played three fewer games in earlier playoff rounds compared to last year.

Looking Ahead

As the series shifts back to Edmonton for Game 5, scheduled for Saturday at 5 p.m. PST, fans are buzzing with anticipation. The Oilers will look to capitalize on their momentum from this exhilarating win, while the Panthers will seek to regain their footing after a heartbreaking loss. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the electric atmosphere promises a captivating clash between these two top-tier teams.

Among the notable attendees at Game 4 were pop sensation Taylor Swift and NFL star Travis Kelce, adding glitz and glamour to the already high-profile showdown. Eyes will surely be on Draisaitl and the Oilers as they strive to claim the title in what has become a nail-biting series.

Catch all the highlights and analyses as we dive deeper into the unfolding Stanley Cup Final drama.