The Edmonton Oilers have officially found new life in the Stanley Cup Final just when it seemed as though their season was all but on the verge of coming to an end.
They trailed in Game 4 against the Florida Panthers by a 3-0 score in the opening 20 minutes of play but then made the switch to goaltender Calvin Pickard for the third time in the postseason because of a subpar performance from Stuart Skinner.
The Oilers then rattled off four straight goals to take the lead by the midway point of the third period, only to have the Panthers knot the score with 20 seconds remaining thanks to a Sam Reinhart goal.
However, Leon Draisaitl once again came through in the clutch with his fourth overtime game-winning goal of the postseason, giving Edmonton the dramatic 5-4 overtime victory and also setting a new NHL record in the process.
Wayne Gretzky Loved What He Saw From Leon Draisaitl
Former Oilers captain and NHL Hall of Fame icon Wayne Gretzky continues to marvel at what Draisaitl is bringing to Edmonton.
Draisaitl may have been snubbed for the Hart Trophy, which was ultimately awarded to Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. Gretzky believes that there was some additional motivation on Draisaitl’s part after the snub.
“Athletes, especially great athletes, have a lot of pride,” Gretzky said on the NHL on TNT panel following the game. “And let me tell you, he’s thinking about only winning the Stanley Cup. But when he didn’t win that award today, he was like, ‘Okay, I’m going to get on my horse today and show people how good I really am,’ and he showed that tonight.”
Hellebuyck, who led the Jets to their first President’s Trophy-winning season, picked up 81 first-place votes and 1,346 points. Finishing in second place in the voting was Draisaitl with 53 first-place votes and 1,209 points.
Draisaitl led all NHL players with 55 goals during the regular season and has now set NHL history with his fourth overtime game-winning tally of the playoffs. It was also his second of the series, as he previously netted the overtime game-winner against the Panthers in Game 1 last week.
Game 5 between the Panthers and Oilers will take place on Saturday night from Rogers Place in Edmonton, which will be, as usual, a roaring atmosphere and will feature a sold-out crowd inside and thousands of fans outside at the official watch party.
Will the Oilers be able to seize control of the series, or will it be the Panthers who pick up the win with a chance to repeat as Stanley Cup champions on their home ice in Game 6 on Tuesday evening? Only time will tell.