To properly evaluate this Stanley Cup Final, it`s probably fair to establish some initial guidelines. Specifically, unless one team builds a significant lead, the outcome could very well be decided in the final ten minutes of regulation or during overtime play.
With that understanding, let`s review how the Edmonton Oilers secured a 4-3 overtime victory against the Florida Panthers in Game 1 on Wednesday, and what this result signifies for both teams ahead of Friday`s Game 2.
- Edmonton Oilers – Grade: B
- Florida Panthers – Grade: B-
- Game 1 Three Stars (Selected by Arda Öcal)
- 1. Leon Draisaitl
- 2. Mattias Ekholm
- 3. Sam Bennett
- Players to Watch in Game 2
- Kasperi Kapanen
- Sam Bennett
- Big Questions for Game 2
- Did the third period and overtime provide the Oilers with a defensive blueprint against the Panthers?
- What is the main takeaway moving forward for the Panthers: Their strong start or their weak finish?
Edmonton Oilers – Grade: B
The way the Oilers won the third period was critical. Not only did it force overtime, but it was arguably their most consistent performance of Game 1. They had more shots in the first period but were still trailing. In the second, they struggled with possession and generating shots, which contributed to being down a goal. Scoring early in the third period with a goal from Mattias Ekholm meant the Oilers now have 20 different goal scorers this postseason. They also heavily outshot the Panthers 14-2 in the third, holding 58.3% of the shot share, which finally gave them a sense of control they lacked earlier.
Although they started overtime defensively, their sustained pressure over the final 15 minutes of regulation eventually paid off. Leon Draisaitl scored the game-winning goal on the power play with just 1:06 left on the clock.
Florida Panthers – Grade: B-
The Panthers managed to survive multiple close calls – a mini breakaway by Kasperi Kapanen, a point-blank opportunity from Trent Frederic at the faceoff circle, a sequence where the Oilers pressured like they were on a power play at 5-on-5, and Evan Bouchard`s scoring chance after slipping behind the defense, stopped by Sergei Bobrovsky.
However, in the end, they couldn`t survive the Oilers` late overtime power play, which led to Draisaitl scoring the decisive goal.
Every loss brings moments of reflection, or “inflection points.” For the Panthers, there are a few possibilities. Was it their strong second period, where they held 65.2% shot share and launched 17 shots but scored only once, largely due to Stuart Skinner`s solid goaltending? Was it their third period, where they only managed two shots on goal? Or was it their inability to capitalize on their dominant start in overtime?
Game 1 Three Stars (Selected by Arda Öcal)
1. Leon Draisaitl
C, Oilers
Draisaitl hadn`t scored in the 2024 Cup Final before Wednesday. He scored 66 seconds into Game 1 and then added the overtime game-winner. This marks a brilliant start to his championship series. Draisaitl has now scored or assisted on five of the Oilers` last six overtime goals over the past two postseasons.
2. Mattias Ekholm
D, Oilers
The veteran defenseman scored his first goal of this postseason in just his second game back from injury. He became the 20th Oiler to score in these playoffs, tying for the second-most unique scorers in a single postseason in NHL history (alongside the 1987 Flyers and 2019 Blues, who had 21).
3. Sam Bennett
C, Panthers
Bennett contributed a two-goal performance in the losing effort. He now has 12 goals this postseason, setting a new franchise record for the most in a single playoff run. Eleven of those goals were scored on the road, tying Mark Scheifele (2018) for the most road goals in a single NHL postseason history.
Players to Watch in Game 2
Kasperi Kapanen
RW, Oilers
Remember, this player was on waivers in November. When the Oilers claimed him, it was seen as a cheap depth addition, but it`s turned into something more significant. His game-winning goal in the series-clinching Game 5 overtime win in the Western Conference Finals earned him more ice time. He nearly scored again in Game 1 overtime and ultimately provided an assist on the winning goal.
He has been part of the solution for the Oilers playing without Zach Hyman, who is out for the rest of the postseason due to injury. Kapanen did his part with three assists and his five hits helped the Oilers maintain the physical edge that is key to their identity in reaching consecutive Cup Finals.
Sam Bennett
C, Panthers
There are two ways to interpret Bennett`s Game 1 performance. Firstly, his two points solidified his status as a strong candidate for the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. Bennett was already a front-runner with a postseason-high 10 goals entering the game; adding two more brings him to 18 points, tied for fourth place with Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
Secondly, he`s set to earn a significant contract this offseason. Following news like the Colorado Avalanche re-signing Brock Nelson for $7.5 million annually, Bennett`s contributions in helping the Panthers reach three consecutive Stanley Cup Finals and contend for another title will undoubtedly increase his market value when free agency opens on July 1.
Big Questions for Game 2
Did the third period and overtime provide the Oilers with a defensive blueprint against the Panthers?
The Oilers` path back to the Stanley Cup Final was largely built on their defensive structure, which made things difficult for high-scoring teams like the Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights. While the Oilers faced challenges in the first period of Game 1 (with Stuart Skinner partially screened on early goals) and experienced a breakdown in the second, they significantly tightened up afterward.
They allowed a combined total of just eight shots in the third period and overtime, with most of those coming in the opening minutes of OT. The Panthers have found ways to break through tight defensive structures before, notably against the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Finals. Will they find an answer in Game 2? Or have the Oilers discovered a defensive approach that could lead to sustained success?
What is the main takeaway moving forward for the Panthers: Their strong start or their weak finish?
This is where things get complicated and relates to the idea of inflection points. In the second period, the Panthers played aggressively in a way few teams have against the Oilers this postseason. This resulted in five high-danger scoring chances and a clear sense of control. However, only coming away with one goal from that period, especially in a one-goal game, raises questions about their finishing ability.
Conversely, the fact that they were forced into a survival mode in overtime, splitting shot share with the Oilers and having more high-danger chances but failing to generate a consistent threat, might be even more concerning. This loss, despite their previous success when holding a second-period lead (winning 31 straight playoff games in that scenario), gives the Panthers plenty to consider heading into Game 2.
