On June 13, 2025, the NHL world witnessed a Game 4 in the Stanley Cup Final that will be talked about for generations. The Florida Panthers stormed out to a commanding 3–0 first‑period lead, outshooting the Edmonton Oilers 17–7 and stunning everyone with a display of precision offense. But what followed was one of the most dramatic comebacks in NHL history: the Oilers not only clawed back they roared back—eventually prevailing 5–4 in a fourth‑period overtime thriller, forcing a 2–2 series tie (reuters.com).
Three consecutive overtime games in the series, with each side showcasing peak mental and physical endurance. Yet none matched the electric energy and momentum swing of Game 4. Here’s what made this matchup unforgettable:
1. Florida Strikes Early—Explosive First Period
The Panthers came out firing. With a relentless forecheck and opportunistic power plays, they commandeered the opening segment:
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Matthew Tkachuk opened the scoring at 11:40 on the first power play, ripping a wrist shot through the traffic (reuters.com).
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Five minutes later, Tkachuk struck again with another power-play goal, asserting Florida’s dominance .
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With just 42 seconds left in the period, Anton Lundell piled it on with a seamless wrist shot—giving the Panthers a staggering 3–0 lead (en.wikipedia.org).
All told, Florida outshot Edmonton 17–7 and piled up 21–5 in high-danger chances. The momentum felt firmly theirs, and the Oilers appeared shaken (espn.com).
2. Edmonton Responds—Second Period Surge
Faced with a burgeoning deficit, the Oilers made bold changes:
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Coach Kris Knoblauch yanked Stuart Skinner, inserting backup goalie Calvin Pickard, looking to shift the game’s energy (espn.com).
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Pickard delivered—stopping all 10 first-period shots faced and sparking renewed confidence.
Offensively, Edmonton came alive:
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Ryan Nugent‑Hopkins initiated the comeback at 3:33 on a power play, assisted by Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid (reuters.com).
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Darnell Nurse narrowed the gap to 3–2 with a sharp-angle goal .
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Finally, Vasily Podkolzin tied the game, burying a loose puck from a scramble (en.wikipedia.org).
By period’s end, Edmonton led shot share 55.6% and had regained composure. Pickard’s steadiness and a relentless offensive wave flipped the script (espn.com).
3. Third Period Drama
Having clawed their way back, the Oilers struck again:
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At 13:36, Jake Walman hammered home a slap shot—Edmonton led 4–3 (cbssports.com).
But just as it looked like the comeback was complete…
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With 19.5 seconds left, Sam Reinhart picked a prime moment to bang in the equalizer—tying the game 4–4 and sending it to overtime (reuters.com).
A stunning reversal—and a rare heartbreak for Edmonton, who thought they’d secured the lead (espn.com).
4. Overtime Glory: Draisaitl Cementing Legend
In Game 4 OT, the hero once again was Leon Draisaitl:
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Eleven minutes in, Draisaitl’s backhand deflected in off a defender—his record-setting fourth overtime goal of the 2025 playoffs, securing a 5–4 win (reuters.com).
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He became just the third player ever to score multiple OT goals in a Stanley Cup Final (joining Don Raleigh and John LeClair) (espn.com).
Pickard stood tall, making 22 saves on 23 shots and earning a historic postseason record: he’s now 7–0 in playoff relief outings (reuters.com). Edmonton's road win marked the first time since 1919 a road team overturned a three-goal halftime deficit in the Finals (washingtonpost.com).
5. Star Performers & Grade Report
⭐ Three Stars – ESPN Grades
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Leon Draisaitl (C, EDM): For OT heroics and relentless drive.
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Calvin Pickard (G, EDM): A relief legend.
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Matthew Tkachuk (RW, FLA): Two PPGs and engine of Florida's early surge (espn.com).
Team Grades
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Edmonton Oilers – B+: A poorly played first ended in a masterclass of adjustment and resolve.
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Florida Panthers – B: Dominance early but failed to close out—errors and turnovers sealed their fate .
6. Strategic Insights: Coaching, Systems & Mindset
Coaching Decisions
Knoblauch's mid-game goalie switch delivered a momentum swing. Meanwhile, Draisaitl’s calm under OT pressure spoke volumes about Edmonton’s mental fortitude .
Game Flow & Adjustments
Edmonton flipped shot shares from 38.4% in the first to 55.6% thereafter. Systematic tightening in neutral zone and disciplined defense turned the tide (espn.com).
Florida's Planning
Florida’s early forecheck succeeded—but after tying, Edmonton’s intensity under pressure forced Florida errors and neutral-zone breakdowns that cost them dearly .
7. The Cultural & Celebrity Footnotes
Game 4 wasn’t just about goals—it was a spectacle:
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Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce sat in prominence, Swift visibly jumping as the OT winner unfolded. Their presence amplified the event’s mainstream appeal (apnews.com).
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Jake Walman—fined for squirting water in Game 3—scored the go‑ahead goal in Game 4, downplaying distractions and focusing on play (espn.com).
These moments added a cultural buzz that transcended sports news.
8. Looking Ahead: Stakes, Switches, and Showdowns
Series Now 2–2
Game 5 returns to a raucous Edmonton crowd. Home ice advantage again for the Oilers, and they need to capitalize (reuters.com, washingtonpost.com).
Key Matchups
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Pickard vs. Skinner: Will Edmonton stick with its backup hero?
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McDavid & Bennett: Edmonton's superstar needs offense balanced by Florida’s Conn Smythe candidate, Sam Bennett .
Momentum & Psychological Edge
Edmonton rewrote history—no team leading by 3 in period 1 had ever lost, until now. That will weigh heavily on Florida’s locker room and fanbase.
📅 Game 5 Outlook
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Date/Time: Saturday, June 14, 2025, 8 pm MT (Edmonton), on TNT/truTV (cbssports.com).
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What to Watch:
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The mental resilience of both teams.
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Goalie matchup and bench decisions.
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Special teams—Florida’s power play vs. Edmonton’s PK.
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With the series even, this is when legends are born.
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