By Adam — SoFlo Sports Buzz
June 13, 2025 | Sunrise, Fla.
On paper, it looked like another dominant performance from the defending champs. Florida roared out to a 3–0 lead after the first period in Game 4, seemingly in command of the Stanley Cup Final. By the final buzzer, however, the narrative had flipped — the Edmonton Oilers completed the improbable comeback, winning 5–4 in overtime to knot the series at 2–2.
First-Period Explosion
The Panthers set the tone early. Matthew Tkachuk opened the scoring on a five-on-three power play at 11:40. He struck again five minutes later, this time on the rebound. Anton Lundell capped the period with a sharp finish at 12:37, all off sustained pressure and opportunistic chances.
Edmonton’s Resurgence
The momentum shifted in the second. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins broke through on the power play at 3:33, igniting the Oilers’ response. Less than ten minutes later, Darnell Nurse fired a tap-in to pull within one. Before the period ended, Vasily Podkolzin finished a scramble, tying the game—a stunning turnaround from a three-goal deficit.
Drama in the Third and OT
Jake Walman struck for his first of the series with a rocket at 13:36 in the third, sending fans into a frenzy as Edmonton took the lead for the first time all night. Florida refused to fold—Sam Reinhart scored with just 19.5 seconds left, forcing overtime and adding another historic late-game goal to the series’ storylines.
Overtime, however, belonged to Leon Draisaitl. He scored 11:18 into the extra session, his fourth overtime goal of this postseason, sealing a breathtaking comeback—only the seventh time a team has erased a three-goal deficit in Stanley Cup Final history, and the first since 1919.
A Night of Mixed Emotions
Sergei Bobrovsky made 30 saves and looked composed, but the Panthers couldn’t maintain control once Edmonton seized the momentum. Calvin Pickard, coming in for Stuart Skinner after the first period, stood tall once the floodgates opened, finishing with 22 saves in relief.
Tkachuk finished with three points, and Reinhart delivered in the clutch, but those sparks weren’t enough.
What Comes Next
With the series now tied, the spotlight shifts to Game 5 in Edmonton on Saturday. The Panthers must figure out how to safeguard big leads and avoid collapsing under pressure. Special teams execution, discipline, and mental toughness will be vital in shifting momentum back to Florida.
Final Word
This wasn’t just a loss—it was a disaster. The Oilers’ resilience and Draisaitl’s late-game genius have leveled the field. Florida now faces a crucial test: can they rebound and regain their edge, or will Edmonton ride this wave into Game 5?
Check out the highlights from the game.