Big Draisaitl Show: Edmonton Wins First Final Game
In a dramatic and emotionally charged opening to the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, the Edmonton Oilers emerged victorious in Game 1, stunning the defending champion Florida Panthers with a gutsy 4-3 overtime win — a result keyed by an electrifying performance from superstar Leon Draisaitl. This opening matchup wasn’t just a win; it was a statement that Edmonton intended to rewrite last year’s narrative and cement itself as a true Stanley Cup contender.
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A Dream Start in the Finals
From the first puck drop at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Draisaitl set the tone. Just 66 seconds into the game, he pounced on a rebound off a shot deflected by Kasperi Kapanen, flicking it past Florida goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky to give the Oilers a 1–0 lead. It was one of the fastest goals to open a Stanley Cup Final Game 1 in decades and immediately energized the home crowd.
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Edmonton looked confident early — controlling the pace, winning key battles and establishing a physical presence that challenged Florida’s usually stingy defense. For Oilers fans, this early strike from Draisaitl was more than just a goal; it served as a message that he was ready for big moments on hockey’s biggest stage.
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Florida Strikes Back
However, the Panthers wouldn’t allow Edmonton’s momentum to carry unchallenged.
Florida’s Carter Verhaege tied the game after his shot deflected off Sam Bennett and past Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner. Edmonton’s challenge for goaltender interference was unsuccessful, and the momentum shifted. Just a short time later, Brad Marchand capitalized on a power play to swing the lead to Florida, putting them up 2–1.
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Instead of faltering, the Panthers rode that energy into the second period. Sam Bennett — who was a historic offensive force throughout the playoffs — struck again to extend Florida’s lead to 3–1 early in the second frame, giving the defending champions a seemingly commanding position. For a moment, it looked like Edmonton might be overpowered early in the series.
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Edmonton Battles Back
Yet Edmonton, fueled by resilience and depth scoring, refused to fold. Viktor Arvidsson cut the lead in half with a goal in the second period, sparking hope and igniting fans at Rogers Place. That goal shifted the energy back to Edmonton’s side and was followed by a key moment in the third period.
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Defenseman Mattias Ekholm, returning from injury, provided the equalizer with a third-period tally assisted by captain Connor McDavid. The Oilers had clawed their way back from a two-goal deficit — a theme that would foreshadow their overtime success.
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Overtime Heroics: Draisaitl Delivers
With the score tied 3–3 at the end of regulation, the game proceeded into overtime, where a sudden-death winner would reward only one side. The tension was palpable.
A critical moment occurred when Florida’s Tomas Nosek was whistled for a delay-of-game penalty after shooting the puck over the glass. Edmonton’s power play was awarded, and the game’s momentum tilted. On the ensuing man advantage, Corey Perry made a pivotal play — threading a pass to McDavid, who set up Draisaitl perfectly in the slot.
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At 19:29 of overtime, Draisaitl ripped the puck past Bobrovsky, electrifying the crowd and clinching the victory for Edmonton. The goal was his second of the game and his third overtime goal of the playoffs, tying the NHL single-postseason overtime goal record — an incredible achievement that showcases his clutch pedigree.
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What This Win Means
This win gave the Oilers a 1–0 series lead and served as redemption for last year’s painful Finals defeat, where Edmonton fell behind early and ultimately lost the Cup in seven games. The resilience, poise under pressure, and sheer offensive firepower displayed by Draisaitl and his teammates signaled a different kind of Oilers team in this rematch of the finals.
AP News
Draisaitl’s performance wasn’t just about tallying goals; it was about rising to moments when his team needed him most. His early goal energised the Oilers, and his overtime strike delivered a pivotal win that could set the tone for the rest of the series. Furthermore, his heightened clutch performance gained even more attention as a dramatic contrast to his lack of scoring in the previous year’s Stanley Cup Final.
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The Fans and the City Respond
Rogers Place was electric — the crowd roared with each shift, and the emotional arc of the night reflected the rollercoaster of the game itself. From the early lead to Florida’s comeback and Edmonton’s fight back, it was a dramatic spectacle befitting hockey’s most important series. Fans celebrated long after the final buzzer, many hopeful that this opening win could spark a deep and successful Cup run for the Oilers.
New York Post
Looking Ahead
While the Oilers celebrated this first victory, there was an understanding that the series was far from over. Every game in the Stanley Cup Final is a war, and Edmonton’s triumph in Game 1 showcased their offensive talent, defensive grit, and heart. But the Panthers, seasoned and resilient, would surely respond as the series moved forward.
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What remains clear is that Leon Draisaitl delivered a big performance on the biggest stage, a night Oilers fans will remember for years — a night where his name was etched into the lore of Stanley Cup history.