The Edmonton Oilers were completely down and out in the early goings of Game 4 against the Florida Panthers, trailing by a 3-0 score at the end of 20 minutes.
And yet, they’re returning back to Edmonton with newfound life after earning a thrilling 5-4 overtime victory, knotting the series at two games apiece.
Leon Draisaitl scored shortly past the midway point of the first overtime period, as his attempted cross-ice pass to Corey Perry was inadvertently deflected past goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky by Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola.
Leon Draisaitl Made NHL History With Overtime Goal
Draisaitl’s goal capped what was an unbelievable back and forth game that initially saw the Panthers race out to a 3-0 lead in the first period. Edmonton then scored three goals of their own in the second period to tie the game, followed by the go-ahead goal from defenseman Jake Walman in the third period to give them a shocking 4-3 lead.
The Panthers then managed to knot the score at 4-4 late in the third period with goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky on the bench for a sixth attacker.
Draisaitl now has four overtime game-winning goals in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the most of any one player in a single postseason.
Additionally, the Oilers became the first team in over 100 years to win a game in the Stanley Cup Final after having initially trailed by a 3-0 score; the last time that was accomplished was 1919.
The Panthers also missed a golden chance to secure the game in overtime, as goaltender Calvin Pickard, who replaced Stuart Skinner after the first period, made an unreal save with his glove on the puck that then deflected off the post.
As if the Panthers needed even more insult to injury, they became the first team in NHL history to not win a game in the Stanley Cup Final after leading by three goals after the first period in 38 different tries.
While history may have been on Florida’s side with past precedent, the Oilers are proving that the past means nothing and that they get to write their own history and destiny.
The series now shifts back to Edmonton, and is now the best of three.
While there will be a Game 6 back in Florida because of the Edmonton win, it now feels as though the momentum will be with the victorious Oilers as they get the chance to take a series lead in front of their own fans at Rogers Place.
