Panthers Let Game 1 Slip in OT Heartbreaker Against Oilers

The Florida Panthers’ quest for back-to-back Stanley Cup titles got off to a rocky start Wednesday night in Edmonton, where they surrendered a two-goal lead and fell 4-3 in overtime to the Oilers in Game 1 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final. After dominating stretches of the game and holding a 3-1 advantage early in the second period, Florida faltered down the stretch, allowing the Oilers to claw back and seal the win with a Leon Draisaitl power-play goal in the final seconds of overtime.

Florida’s fast start, highlighted by two goals from Sam Bennett and a power-play marker from Brad Marchand, had them in prime position to steal the series opener on the road. Bennett’s second goal just two minutes into the second period gave the Panthers a 3-1 cushion and seemed to quiet the Rogers Place crowd. But the Oilers responded just 77 seconds later with a slapshot goal from Viktor Arvidsson, shifting the momentum and injecting new life into Edmonton’s attack.

Despite allowing four goals, Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky was sharp for most of the night, turning aside 42 shots and coming up big in overtime with stops on Kapanen, Bouchard, and Frederick. However, he’d undoubtedly like a couple back, including the early tap-in by Draisaitl after a rebound bobbled around the crease, and Arvidsson’s second-period blast that squeezed past him through traffic.

One of the night’s most critical moments came late in overtime when Tomas Nosek was called for delay of game after accidentally sending the puck over the glass. Just over a minute later, Edmonton capitalized. Connor McDavid found Draisaitl in the slot, who beat Bobrovsky glove side to complete the comeback and hand the Panthers their first loss in a Stanley Cup Final opener since 1996.

The collapse was uncharacteristic for a Florida squad that had gone 31-0 in playoff games under Paul Maurice when leading after one or two periods. But Wednesday’s third period told a different story. Edmonton outshot Florida 14-2 and controlled possession nearly the entire frame. The Panthers struggled to complete passes and looked increasingly fatigued as the game wore on—a likely consequence of shortening their bench. Nosek, Boqvist, and Gadjovich logged minimal minutes, and the team appeared out of gas as the Oilers pressed harder.

Even with the loss, there were encouraging signs for Florida. Bennett continued his torrid postseason run, notching his 11th and 12th goals of the playoffs—breaking the franchise record and tying an NHL record for most road goals in a single postseason. Marchand’s power-play goal tied him for the most in Stanley Cup Final history among active players, and Nate Schmidt quietly recorded two primary assists in a strong showing.

Still, the biggest lesson from Game 1 is one the Panthers know all too well: no lead is safe in the Stanley Cup Final—especially against a hungry team with elite firepower. Maurice remained level-headed postgame, praising his team’s early pressure and reminding everyone that this series has the potential to go the distance. And it certainly feels that way after an electric and even Game 1.

Florida now faces its first series deficit of the postseason. But if their comeback against Toronto in Round 2 taught us anything, it’s that this group knows how to respond. Game 2 is Friday night, once again in Edmonton, and the Panthers will be looking to bounce back with a more complete 60-minute effort.

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