Edmonton Oilers Rally to Tie Stanley Cup Final Amid Ongoing Regular Season Woes

Edmonton, June 13, 2025 – The Edmonton Oilers have reignited their Stanley Cup hopes with a dramatic comeback victory in Game 4 against the Florida Panthers, tying the series 2-2 after a period marked by both on-ice adversity and regular season struggles.

Game 3 saw the Oilers endure their worst playoff defeat, falling 6-1 to the Panthers in a penalty-filled contest that exposed persistent issues on special teams. Edmonton’s penalty kill faltered, allowing three power-play goals, while their own power play remained underwhelming, converting just 3 of 16 opportunities (18.8%) through the first three games of the Final. The loss left the Oilers trailing in the best-of-seven series and raised questions about their ability to respond under pressure.

However, in Game 4, the Oilers staged a historic turnaround. After conceding three first-period goals—including two on the power play—head coach Kris Knoblauch replaced starting goaltender Stuart Skinner with backup Calvin Pickard to start the second period. The move paid immediate dividends: Edmonton rallied with three unanswered goals in the second period, tying the game and stunning the Amerant Bank Arena crowd. Defenseman Jake Walman gave the Oilers a late lead, but Florida’s Sam Reinhart forced overtime with a dramatic equalizer. Ultimately, Leon Draisaitl emerged as the overtime hero, sealing a 5-4 win and capping the biggest road Stanley Cup Final comeback in over a century.

Despite the offensive fireworks—both teams have combined for 32 goals in the first four games—the series has also been defined by defensive lapses and exceptional goaltending under pressure. Observers note that, while scorelines have been high, key saves on both sides have kept games competitive, with three of four contests decided in overtime.

The Oilers’ regular season performance continues to draw scrutiny. Edmonton recently dropped to a 2-4 record after a 4-1 defeat to Dallas, with a power play that has struggled to convert (just 1-for-15 on the season). Goaltending inconsistencies and a lack of depth scoring have contributed to being outscored 11-2 in their first two games, including a loss to Calgary.

Off the ice, the Oilers have signed forward Viljami Marjala to a two-year entry-level contract, signaling a focus on future development. Meanwhile, trade rumors swirl around Evander Kane, driven by salary cap concerns and the recent acquisition of injury-prone winger Viktor Arvidsson.

As the Oilers prepare for a pivotal Game 5, the team’s resilience—exemplified by long-tenured forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins—offers hope to fans eager for a return to championship glory. The coming games will test whether Edmonton can sustain their newfound momentum and overcome both their playoff and regular season challenges.