The Edmonton Oilers entered Game 4 with something to prove after a stinker of a Game 3 with a loss of 6-1. We know that the Oilers are a better team than what was on display in Game 3. Like it our not, coach Kris Knoblauch went with Stuart Skinner for Game 4 and his record in Games 4-7 has been nothing but spectacular.
During Games 4-7, Skinner has been calm and focused to win. However, we know Stu has not had the best 4-5 periods in the Stanley Cup Finals and it would have been sensible to go with Calvin Pickard.
Stu did start the game and had some great saves in the first period facing 17 shots but gave up three goals for 0.844 save percentage. On this night, he was performing very differently from the 1.266 goals against average (GAA) and 0.975 save percentage in career Game 4s.
The first period of Game 4 in Florida proved to be too much to handle for him and the team. The Panthers went up 3-0 and many were wondering if the Oilers has lost their passion and will to win the Stanley Cup after four periods of underperforming in these Finals.
Second period comeback led by special team success
Leon commented on the leadership of Corey Perry in the dressing room after the game to say that “when he talks you listen and do as he says.” Coach Knoblauch commented on the fact that the Oilers have “many leaders in the dressing room” that the team listens to.
Whatever was said in that first intermission the team took it to heart and it revealed itself on the ice in the second period. Calvin Pickard entered the second period in a goaltending change bringing his 7-0 record in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs and 2.87 GAA.
We have all seen how well he plays the position in a back up role, but I have always commented that he can be a No. 1 goalie on any team. He has great positioning, excellent reads on plays, faces shooters with confidence, makes key saves at big moments and he always gives the team a chance to win.
The players know that, trust in him and I think they play better defensive hockey in front of him to aid in the success of Calvin Pickard. The Panthers only had 10 shots in the second period, reduced high-danger shots and the Oilers played a much better defensive game.
All the D-pairs played well and shut down any offensive push of the Panthers during some parts of the second period. Pickard gave the Oilers quality saves to allow them to outscore Florida 3-0 in the second period that started with a power play goal and ended with a great goal by Podkolzin to tie the game.
Record-breaking goal by Leon Draisaitl
The Oilers continued their dominance of the Panthers in the third period and continued to protect their net. Pickard made timely saves and Jake Walman blasted a shot past Bobrovsky at 13:36 of the third period to allow the Oilers to go ahead 4-3.
That was an amazing one timer by Walman and everyone of the 19,994 fans in the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida may have seen the goal coming when he lifted his stick for 3-4 seconds calling for the pass! Certainly, the fans in Edmonton saw that.
The Walman goal held up as the game-winning goal for almost six minutes before Sam Reinhart floated a very bouncy puck past Pickard at 19:40 to send the game into yet another overtime period.
It took 11-plus minutes before Leon scored his record-breaking fourth overtime goal in one postseason to break the NHL playoff record held by him and three others - Florida's Matthew Tkachuk in 2023, current teammate Corey Perry, who did so with Anaheim in 2017, and Maurice Richard (1951). Oiler’s win Game 4 and tie the series 2-2 heading back to Alberta.
The stage is set for a Saturday night showdown
The series is now a best of three with two games in Edmonton and thus home ice advantage. The Oilers are 7-2-0 at home in the 2025 playoffs while Florida is 9-3-0 on the road. This is a true “clash of the titans” and a Saturday night showdown will happen in less than 48 hours.
A lot of emotional highs and lows have been felt during these playoffs, “Games like that, it’s exhausting — it’s a roller coaster,” says coach Knoblauch . “Two good teams playing as hard as they are, playing the right way. Obviously with what’s on the line, it’s stressful. There’s a lot on the line, but it is fun and I think our guys are having fun, enjoying this moment.”
Interesting choice of words from the coach that also reflects with way fans are feeling. Rest up, Edmonton, for a Saturday night showdown with the Panthers. This series has been talked about as one of the best in the past decade and we still have three potential games to go.
These two teams are deserving to be in the Stanley Cup playoffs and it is now the best of three games with two games in Edmonton and home ice advantage. Part 5 of the Edmonton-Florida roller coster continues on Saturday!
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