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Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl Trade Messages After Win Against Panthers

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jun 5, 2025 6:22 AM ET

The Edmonton Oilers opened the 2025 Stanley Cup Final with a comeback win over the Florida Panthers, erasing a two-goal deficit to secure a 4–3 overtime victory.

Game 1 saw Edmonton strike first through Leon Draisaitl, but fall behind 3–1 shortly into the second period before clawing back with goals from Viktor Arvidsson and Mattias Ekholm.

Then, on a late power play in overtime, Draisaitl ended the game, assisted by Oilers captain Connor McDavid.

The goal capped off a night that saw both Draisaitl and McDavid deliver multi-point performances. McDavid set up the game-tying and game-winning goals while Draisaitl scored both the opening and closing goals of Game 1.

Connor McDavid & Leon Draisaitl addressed the media after they each had two points & combined for the OT winner in the #Oilers Game 1 win over the Panthers to open the Stanley Cup Final.@Enterprise | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/hAKyetp32O
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) June 5, 2025

Both teammates shared the podium to address the media after the game. Draisaitl spoke about the buildup to the winning play.

"I'm standing over there watching this whole thing unfold, and I'm the beneficiary," Draisaitl said. "But the work is done way before that. Perrs with a great play to Dave-O, and then an amazing pass over to me."

McDavid, meanwhile, was equally complimentary of his longtime teammate.

"You can’t put a number on it. He’s invaluable," McDavid said when asked how he'd quantify Draisaitl's postseason to date. "So many good things, clutch, faceoffs. You name it, he does it. Doesn’t get enough respect or credit for his defensive abilities.

"When he’s dug in, there’s not many better. Maybe nobody better."

Draisaitl's finish delivered Edmonton its first Stanley Cup Final series lead since 1990, per Frank Seravalli.

The Panthers' loss also dropped them to 0–1 in the series after they never trailed during last year's Stanley Cup Final, only allowing the Oilers to tie the finals at 3-3 before Florida won Game 7.

Game 2 is set for Friday night in Edmonton, with puck drop scheduled at 8 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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