Oilers look to expand series lead over Panthers after thrilling Game 1 victory


Hockey

The Edmonton Oilers are looking to expand their lead against the Florida Panthers on Friday after a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory Wednesday. 

Puck drops Friday evening for Game 2 of the Stanley Cup finals at Rogers Place in Edmonton

Florida Panthers' Aaron Ekblad (5) and Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid (97) battle for the puck during the first overtime period in Game 1 of the NHL Stanley Cup final in Edmonton, Wednesday, June 4, 2025.
Florida Panthers’ Aaron Ekblad and Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid battle for the puck during overtime in Game 1 of the NHL Stanley Cup final in Edmonton Wednesday. The Oilers won 4-3 and look to expand their series lead Friday. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press)

The Edmonton Oilers will look to expand their series lead against the Florida Panthers on Friday after a riveting 4-3 overtime victory Wednesday. 

Game 2 of the NHL Stanley Cup finals is set for 6 p.m. MT/8 p.m. ET at Rogers Place in Edmonton. 

The Oilers came from behind with three straight goals in Game 1, including Leon Draisatl’s power-play winner — his second of the night — on a slick passing play with 31 seconds left in overtime. 

The game was fast-paced and mean, with each team clocking 51 hits.

Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner made 32 saves in front of the deafening hometown crowd, while busy Panthers netminder Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 46 of 50 shots.

Captain Connor McDavid and winger Kasperi Kapanen each recorded two assists in the victory, while Sam Bennett netted two goals for the Panthers. 

Last year’s series between the two teams went the full seven games, with Florida coming out on top.

Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said after Game 1 that his club is better suited to face the Panthers this time around.

“We’re a more physical team,” he said. “We’re bigger, we’re stronger.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kevin Maimann is a senior writer for CBC News based in Edmonton. He has covered a wide range of topics for publications including VICE, the Toronto Star, Xtra Magazine and the Edmonton Journal. You can reach Kevin by email at kevin.maimann@cbc.ca.

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