3 Takeaways from Oilers’ Thrilling Game 1 Win Over Panthers

If you’re an Edmonton Oilers fan, your heart was probably lodged somewhere between your throat and the rafters. For much of Game 1, the team didn’t look sharp. Passes missed, icings piled up, and the Panthers were pressing hard. Even in overtime, the Oilers looked out of sync. But here’s the thing—they hung in there.

They won the third period. They survived overtime. And thanks to some timely heroics from their biggest stars, they walked away with a gutsy 4–3 win in the opening game of the Stanley Cup Final rematch against the Florida Panthers.

It wasn’t pretty, but it was resilient. And in a series where every shift matters, that might be the most important thing. They hung in until their big guns got the crisp passing they needed to set up the game-winner.

Here are three key takeaways from Game 1.

Takeaway 1. Draisaitl’s Redemption Arc Is Underway

Leon Draisaitl opened the scoring just 66 seconds in—marking the fastest Cup Final goal in nearly 50 years—and then capped off the night with the overtime winner on a power play. He went goalless in last year’s Final, but this time he’s wasting no time making his mark. His composure and poise in key moments gave Edmonton the edge when they needed it most.

Takeaway 2. McDavid’s Quiet Mastery Still Drives the Bus

Connor McDavid didn’t score, but his fingerprints were all over this win. He picked up two assists, including the perfect feed to a pinching Mattias Ekholm for the tying goal in the third. His vision, patience, and relentless presence helped tip the momentum back Edmonton’s way. In a game where the Panthers had control early, McDavid calmly waited his time and pulled his team back into it.

Takeaway 3. Skinner’s Maturity Was the Difference in Net

Stuart Skinner made 29 saves and stayed calm under pressure, especially during a nerve-wracking overtime. While Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky faced more rubber (42 shots), Skinner made the timely stops that kept the Oilers in striking distance. This wasn’t the same shaky start we saw from him a year ago—he looked like a goalie who’s grown into the moment.