Oilers take a 1-0 series lead against the Panthers in the SCF
- Lyanna Yeow
- Jun 4, 2025
- 4 min read
Edmonton Oilers vs. Florida Panthers (GAME 1)
The Edmonton Oilers won Game 1 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers on June 4, 2025. This matchup took place at Rogers Place and ended with a 4-3 overtime win for the Oilers. Read about what led to the Oilers’ win, the standout players of each team, stats, and when their next game is scheduled!
Game Recap
Rogers Place erupted with excitement when #29 Leon Draisaitl scored the opening goal a minute and six seconds into Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final (1-0). The Oilers fans continued to buzz when the Panthers remained scoreless after their first power play opportunity of the game. The electricity in the arena died down and turned into frustration midway through the first period after a failed goaltender interference Coach’s Challenge made by Oilers’ head coach Kris Knoblauch. The Oilers’ decision to challenge the Panthers’ game-tying goal scored by #9 Sam Bennett was made after he was tripped in the blue paint and blocked Oilers’ goaltender, #74 Stuart Skinner, from making a save. The Oilers’ Coach’s Challenge ended up going in the Panthers’ favor upon further review when it was shown that Oilers’ #27 Brett Kulak tripped #9 Bennett before the goal was scored (1-1). After an Oilers’ failed Coach’s Challenge, the Panthers found themselves with the man-advantage due to the Oilers’ receiving a delay of game penalty. With eleven seconds left on their man-advantage, #63 Brad Marchand scored a power play goal which gave the Panthers their first lead of this Stanley Cup Finals series (2-1). Chaos ensued in the latter half of the period as the teams played 5-on-4 with an Oilers’ power play for a few seconds before it momentarily turned into 4-on-4 hockey. After a quick turn of events, 4-on-4 hockey turned into another Oilers’ power play which made the teams play 4-on-3 for a minute and thirty-six seconds due to a series of penalties. After all of the chaos, #72 Sergei Bobrovsky was able to remain strong in net for the Panthers and keep it a 2-1 game going into the second period.
The Panthers’ momentum continued into the second period as #9 Bennett scored his second goal of the night after receiving a great past by #88 Nate Schmidt (3-1). The Oilers fans were brought back to life after their deficit was cut down to one-goal when #33 Viktor Arvidsson scored a minute and seventeen seconds after the Panthers goal (3-2). Both goaltenders, #74 Skinner and #72 Bobrovsky made a series of great saves which kept the score 3-2 in the Panthers favor.
The last period of regulation started with the remaining forty-seven seconds left on the Oilers’ power play which carried on from the final mines of the second period. Although the Oilers were unable to score on their man-advantage, #14 Mattias Ekholm was able to tie the game, 3-3, after he ripped the puck top shelf past #72 Bobrovsky. After a couple great scoring chances, both teams struggled to break the tied standstill which forced overtime in the Stanley Cup Finals opener.
The game remained at a 3-3 standstill despite the Panthers starting off strong in overtime which was then followed up by the Oilers gaining momentum during the latter half of the period. The game remained stagnant until Panthers’ #92 Tomas Nosek received a delay of game penalty after he shot the puck over the glass during the final two minutes of overtime. #29 Draisaitl successfully scored the game winning power play overtime goal with thirty-one seconds left in the period which secured their 4-3 Game 1 win. After a great battle, the efforts of #74 Skinner and #29 Draisaitl helped the Oilers to secure their 1-0 series lead in the Stanley Cup Final.
The standout players
Edmonton Oilers
Forward: #29 Leon Draisaitl ended the game with 2 points after scoring two goals during this game which included the game winning power play goal during the final minute of overtime
Defensemen: #14 Mattias Ekholm scored one of the four Oilers goals of this game
Goaltender: #74 Stuart Skinner had a save percentage of 0.906% after he saved 29 out of 32 shots on goal
Florida Panthers
Stats
The Oilers outshot the Panthers (46 SOG vs. 32 SOG)
Both teams delivered 51 hits
The Panthers won more faceoffs than the Oilers (56.4% vs. 43.6%)
The Panthers had a higher power play success rate than the Oilers (50 PP% vs. 25 PP%)
SUMMARY: The Oilers’ overall ability to capitalize on their scoring chances and the impressive saves by their goaltender helped them to secure their 1-0 series lead despite the Panthers having a higher faceoff win success rate and finding more success on their man-advantages.
Upcoming Games
GAME 2
When: June 6, 2025 at 5:00 PM PST
Where: Rogers Place
Watch: SN, CBC, TVAS, TNT, truTV, Max
GAME 3
When: June 9, 2025 at 5:00 PM PST
Where: Amerant Bank Arena
Watch: TNT, truTV, Max, SN, CBC, TVAS
GAME 4
When: June 12, 2025 at 5:00 PM PST
Where: Amerant Bank Arena
Watch: TNT, truTV, Max, SN, CBC, TVAS
NOTE: Games 5-7 are TBD for each team as they will be scheduled if necessary
GAME 5
When: June 14, 2025 at 5:00 PM PST
Where: Rogers Place
Watch: SN, CBC, TVAS, TNT, truTV, Max
GAME 6
When: June 17, 2025 at 5:00 PM PST
Where: Amerant Bank Arena
Watch: TNT, truTV, Max, SN, CBC, TVAS
GAME 7
When: June 20, 2025 at 5:00 PM PST
Where: Rogers Place
Watch: SN, CBC, TVAS, TNT, truTV, Max
The Edmonton Oilers lead 1-0 in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers
Who do you think is going to win Game 2?
Comment down below!
Come back for the next game recap of the Stanley Cup Finals!
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