The Edmonton Oilers have secured a 1-0 series advantage in the Stanley Cup Final, largely fueled by the outstanding performance of Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid. This formidable duo collaborated on the game-winning goal in overtime, leading the Oilers to a 4-3 victory over the Florida Panthers in the opening game.
Draisaitl wasted no time making his presence felt, scoring a rebound goal just 66 seconds into the game. This marked the fastest goal to begin a Stanley Cup Final game since 1976.
The Panthers, credit to them, mounted a strong comeback, netting three consecutive goals. Playoff standout Sam Bennett contributed two of these markers, propelling Florida to a 3-2 lead heading into the third period.
While such a lead is often decisive for the Panthers against opponents, the Oilers proved resilient. Edmonton required a pivotal play, and Connor McDavid delivered. Setting up behind the net, in a position reminiscent of Gretzky`s famed spot, he found Mattias Ekholm crashing the high slot. Ekholm took the pass and unleashed a shot past Sergei Bobrovsky to level the score at 3-3.
Overtime presented opportunities for both teams. However, a crucial error by Florida forward Tomas Nosek, who sent the puck over the glass, resulted in a delay of game penalty. This handed the Oilers` potent power play a chance, and McDavid and Draisaitl capitalized with a superb one-timer, sealing the win and the early series lead.
In net for the Oilers, Stuart Skinner experienced a somewhat shaky start but rebounded effectively after the Panthers took a 3-1 lead. He finished the game having stopped 29 of 32 shots faced, including several critical saves during the overtime period.
Stanley Cup Final
Edmonton Oilers vs. Florida Panthers
Game 1: Oilers 4, Panthers 3 (OT)
Game 2: Friday, June 6 | at EDM | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV
Game 3: Monday, June 9 | at FLA | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV
Game 4: Thursday, June 12 | at FLA | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV
*Game 5: Saturday, June 14 | at EDM | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV
*Game 6: Tuesday, June 17 | at FLA | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV
*Game 7: Friday, June 20 | at EDM | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV
Western Conference Final
(2) Dallas Stars vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers
Game 1: Stars 6, Oilers 3
Game 2: Oilers 3, Stars 0
Game 3: Oilers 6, Stars 1
Game 4: Oilers 4, Stars 1
Game 5: Oilers 6, Stars 3
Eastern Conference Final
(2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (3) Florida Panthers
Game 1: Panthers 5, Hurricanes 2
Game 2: Panthers 5, Hurricanes 0
Game 3: Panthers 6, Hurricanes 2
Game 4: Hurricanes 3, Panthers 0
Game 5: Panthers 5, Hurricanes 3
Round 2
(1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (3) Florida Panthers
Game 1: Maple Leafs 5, Panthers 4
Game 2: Maple Leafs 4, Panthers 3
Game 3: Panthers 5, Maple Leafs 4 (OT)
Game 4: Panthers 2, Maple Leafs 0
Game 5: Panthers 6, Maple Leafs 1
Game 6: Maple Leafs 2, Panthers 0
Game 7: Panthers 6, Maple Leafs 1
(1) Washington Capitals vs. (2) Carolina Hurricanes
Game 1: Hurricanes 2, Capitals 1 (OT)
Game 2: Capitals 3, Hurricanes 1
Game 3: Hurricanes 4, Capitals 0
Game 4: Hurricanes 5, Capitals 2
Game 5: Hurricanes 3, Capitals 1
(1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (2) Dallas Stars
Game 1: Stars 3, Jets 2
Game 2: Jets 4, Stars 0
Game 3: Stars 5, Jets 2
Game 4: Stars 3, Jets 1
Game 5: Jets 4, Stars 0
Game 6: Stars 2, Jets 1 (OT)
(1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers
Game 1: Oilers 4, Golden Knights 2
Game 2: Oilers 5, Golden Knights 4 (OT)
Game 3: Golden Knights 4, Oilers 3
Game 4: Oilers 3, Golden Knights 0
Game 5: Oilers 1, Golden Knights 0 (OT)
Round 1
(1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (WC1) Ottawa Senators
Game 1: Maple Leafs 6, Senators 2
Game 2: Maple Leafs 3, Senators 2 (OT)
Game 3: Maple Leafs 3, Senators 2 (OT)
Game 4: Senators 4, Maple Leafs 3 (OT)
Game 5: Senators 4, Maple Leafs 0
Game 6: Maple Leafs 4, Senators 2
(2) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (3) Florida Panthers
Game 1: Panthers 6, Lightning 2
Game 2: Panthers 2, Lightning 0
Game 3: Lightning 5, Panthers 1
Game 4: Panthers 4, Lightning 2
Game 5: Panthers 6, Lightning 3
(1) Washington Capitals vs. (WC2) Montreal Canadiens
Game 1: Capitals 3, Canadiens 2 (OT)
Game 2: Capitals 3, Canadiens 1
Game 3: Canadiens 6, Capitals 3
Game 4: Capitals 5, Canadiens 2
Game 5: Capitals 4, Canadiens 1
(2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (3) New Jersey Devils
Game 1: Hurricanes 4, Devils 1
Game 2: Hurricanes 3, Devils 1
Game 3: Devils 3, Hurricanes 2 (2OT)
Game 4: Hurricanes 5, Devils 2
Game 5: Hurricanes 5, Devils 4 (2OT)
(1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (WC2) St. Louis Blues
Game 1: Jets 5, Blues 3
Game 2: Jets 2, Blues 1
Game 3: Blues 7, Jets 2
Game 4: Blues 5, Jets 1
Game 5: Jets 5, Blues 3
Game 6: Blues 5, Jets 2
Game 7: Jets 4, Blues 3 (2OT)
(2) Dallas Stars vs. (3) Colorado Avalanche
Game 1: Avalanche 5, Stars 1
Game 2: Stars 4, Avalanche 3 (OT)
Game 3: Stars 2, Avalanche 1 (OT)
Game 4: Avalanche 4, Stars 0
Game 5: Stars 6, Avalanche 2
Game 6: Avalanche 7, Stars 4
Game 7: Stars 4, Avalanche 2
(1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (WC1) Minnesota Wild
Game 1: Golden Knights 4, Wild 2
Game 2: Wild 5, Golden Knights 2
Game 3: Wild 5, Golden Knights 2
Game 4: Golden Knights 4, Wild 3 (OT)
Game 5: Golden Knights 3, Wild 2 (OT)
Game 6: Golden Knights 3, Wild 2
(2) Los Angeles Kings vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers
Game 1: Kings 6, Oilers 5
Game 2: Kings 6, Oilers 2
Game 3: Oilers 7, Kings 4
Game 4: Oilers 4, Kings 3 (OT)
Game 5: Oilers 3, Kings 1
Game 6: Oilers 6, Kings 4
Torin Vale 
Elton Marrow