Before diving deeper, let`s establish some basic guidelines for evaluating this Stanley Cup Final series. Unless one team builds a substantial and likely insurmountable lead, the outcome of any given game could realistically be determined within the final ten minutes of regulation, or whenever an overtime (or even double overtime) game-winning goal is scored.
With that understanding in place, here is a breakdown of how the Edmonton Oilers secured a 4-3 victory in overtime in Game 1 on Wednesday, and what the implications are for both teams heading into Friday`s Game 2.
- Edmonton Oilers: Game 1 Performance (Grade: B )
- Florida Panthers: Game 1 Performance (Grade: B- )
- Game 1`s Three Stars (According to Arda Öcal)
- 1. Leon Draisaitl C, Oilers
- 2. Mattias Ekholm D, Oilers
- 3. Sam Bennett C, Panthers
- Players to Watch in Game 2
- Kasperi Kapanen RW, Oilers
- Sam Bennett C, Panthers
- Key Questions for Game 2
- Did the third period and overtime give the Oilers a defensive blueprint against the Panthers?
- For the Panthers, what is the main takeaway going forward: their strong start or their weak finish?
Edmonton Oilers: Game 1 Performance (Grade: B)
Winning the third period in the manner they did was vital for the Oilers. Not only did it force overtime, but it was arguably their most consistent performance segment in Game 1. They had the edge in shots during the first period but still found themselves trailing. They struggled with possession and generating offense in the second period, which contributed to their deficit. Mattias Ekholm`s goal early in the third period made him the 20th unique scorer for the Oilers this postseason. Furthermore, they outshot the Panthers 14-2 in the third, controlling 58.3% of the shot share, providing a sense of dominance that was previously absent. While they began overtime on the defensive, their persistent pressure over the preceding 15 minutes paid off with Leon Draisaitl scoring the game-winner on the power play with 1:06 remaining.
Florida Panthers: Game 1 Performance (Grade: B-)
The Panthers survived numerous close calls: Kasperi Kapanen`s mini-breakaway, Trent Frederic`s point-blank shot, the Oilers sustained 5-on-5 pressure resembling a power play, and Evan Bouchard getting behind the defense for another point-blank chance stopped by Sergei Bobrovsky. They endured many tense moments. Ultimately, however, they could not survive the Oilers` late overtime power play, where Draisaitl scored the goal that ended the game.
Every game offers potential turning points, especially in a loss. The Panthers had several. Was it the second period, where they held 65.2% of the shot share and unleashed 17 shots, yet only scored once, largely due to Stuart Skinner`s solid play? Was it the third period, where they managed just two shots on goal? Or was it their failure to fully capitalize on their dominant start in overtime, despite splitting the shot share and generating more high-danger chances, yet lacking a consistent threat? These questions may linger for the Panthers, or perhaps they will trust their established process, considering they had won their previous 31 playoff games when leading after the second period.
Game 1`s Three Stars (According to Arda Öcal)
1. Leon Draisaitl
C, Oilers
Draisaitl had not scored a goal in the 2024 Cup Final prior to Game 1. He opened the scoring just 66 seconds into the game and then netted the game-winning goal in overtime. It was a superb start to this year`s championship series for him. Draisaitl has either scored or assisted on five of the Oilers` six overtime goals in the past two postseasons.
2. Mattias Ekholm
D, Oilers
The experienced defenseman scored his first goal of this postseason in his second game back from injury. He became the 20th different Oiler to score in these playoffs, which ties for the second most in a single NHL postseason history. (The 1987 Flyers and 2019 Blues each had 21 different goal scorers.)
3. Sam Bennett
C, Panthers
Bennett contributed a two-goal performance in a losing effort. His 12 goals this postseason are the most in Panthers franchise history for a single playoff run. Notably, eleven of those goals were scored on the road, tying him with Mark Scheifele (2018) for the most road goals in a single NHL postseason history.
Players to Watch in Game 2
Kasperi Kapanen
RW, Oilers
Recall that this player was on waivers in November. When the Oilers claimed him, it was seen as adding depth on a budget, but it has developed into something more significant. His game-winning goal in the series-clinching Game 5 overtime victory in the Western Conference final opened opportunities for more playing time. He nearly repeated that feat in Game 1`s overtime as well and did get an assist on the eventual game-winning goal. He has been part of the solution for how the Oilers navigate the absence of Zach Hyman, who sustained an injury that will keep him out for the remainder of the postseason. Kapanen did his part with three assists, and his five hits helped the Oilers maintain the physical intensity that is part of their identity and helped them reach the Cup Final.
Sam Bennett
C, Panthers
There are two perspectives on Sam Bennett`s performance in Game 1. First, his two-point effort reinforced his status as a serious candidate for the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. Bennett was already a front-runner with a postseason-high 10 goals; adding two more gives him 12 goals and 18 points, tied with Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for fourth place in playoff scoring. Second, his play significantly increases his value for this upcoming offseason. Following Brock Nelson`s recent three-year extension worth $7.5 million annually, what Bennett has contributed to help the Panthers reach three consecutive Stanley Cup Finals – and be in a position to potentially claim at least a second title – is only going to drive up his potential market value come July 1st.
Key Questions for Game 2
Did the third period and overtime give the Oilers a defensive blueprint against the Panthers?
The Oilers` path back to the Stanley Cup Final has been heavily influenced by how their defensive structure has made things difficult for opponents like the Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights, both top-five regular-season scoring teams who struggled in the playoffs. The Oilers faced some challenges in the first period, with Stuart Skinner being partially screened on the first two goals, and a defensive breakdown in the second period that left their goaltender exposed. From that point onward, the Oilers allowed a combined total of only eight shots over the final two frames (third period and overtime), with the majority of those coming in the first five minutes of overtime. Of course, the Panthers have found ways to penetrate tight defensive structures before, as they did against the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference finals. Will the Panthers find a similar breakthrough in Game 2? Or could the Oilers have discovered something in the latter part of Game 1 that allows them to find even greater success within their defensive identity?
For the Panthers, what is the main takeaway going forward: their strong start or their weak finish?
Here is where the situation becomes complex – and it relates back to the earlier point about teams having inflection points. In the second period, the Panthers were aggressive in a way that few teams have been against the Oilers. This resulted in five high-danger scoring chances and an overall sense of control. That`s why coming away with only one goal from that period – especially in a game decided by a single goal – raises questions about how they can maximize those opportunities moving forward. But at the same time, the feeling that they were forced to `survive` in an overtime period where they split the shot share with the Oilers, had more high-danger scoring chances but failed to generate a consistent threat, could give the Panthers even more to consider in the coming days… or perhaps they will choose not to question their process, given their strong history of winning (their last 31 playoff games) when holding a second-period lead.
