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Jun 6, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) makes a save against the Florida Panthers during the second period in game two of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images

Game 4 Could Define This Oilers Era

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By The Old Prof | Last updated Jun 12, 2025 1:50 PM ET

As the Edmonton Oilers prepare for a do-or-die Game 4 in the Stanley Cup Final, the buzz around the team isn’t just about strategy or stats—it’s about identity. It’s about belief. On the Sportsnet panel led by David Amber, analysts Jennifer Botterill and Elliotte Friedman explained why this game could be the defining moment of the Oilers’ season, perhaps even their core’s legacy.

The Oilers Are a Team That Refuses to Sulk

Sometimes, the most telling response to adversity doesn’t come in the media or the scoresheet—it comes on the practice rink. The Oilers were scheduled to take a whole day off after a demoralizing 4-1 loss in Game 3 that left them trailing 2-1 in the series against the Florida Panthers. Instead, they opted in—scrapping the rest, hitting the ice, and sending a clear message: we’re not done.

At the center of it all? Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Not just participating but driving the pace. Intensity in every drill. Stick taps, shouted encouragement, and small leadership moments showed a team still invested. As Botterill pointed out, “They weren’t sulking. They were setting a tone.” In that skate, the Oilers said what needed to be told without words: we still believe.

Game 4 and the Stuart Skinner Decision

Of course, belief needs a backbone—and in the playoffs, that usually means goaltending. Stuart Skinner, who was shelled in Game 3, remains the most significant question heading into Game 4. Head coach Kris Knoblauch hasn’t officially named his starter, but Friedman and Botterill agreed: the net should still belong to Skinner.

It’s not just about loyalty—it’s about pattern. As Friedman noted, Skinner has developed a strange but consistent habit of bouncing back in the fourth game of a series. His best performances in earlier rounds often came when the pressure ratcheted up. And while pulling a goalie can sometimes be a wake-up call, there’s a bigger risk in showing doubt. The message from the panel? Ride with the guy who got you here.

Florida’s Silent Depth Is Killing the Oilers’ Chances

While Edmonton’s stars have been held off the scoresheet, Florida’s depth is thriving—and quietly dominating. Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand have been ruthless, combining for eight of the Panthers’ 14 goals in the series. These aren’t just lucky bounces—they’re tone-setting games that have put the Oilers back on their heels.

Botterill pointed to Bennett’s evolution, calling him one of the most impactful forwards in the series. Friedman even floated the possibility of Conn Smythe buzz for both players. It’s not that the Oilers are being outclassed—they’re being out-clutched by players who are seizing their moment. The series could be over if McDavid and Draisaitl don’t answer in Game 4.

The Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher for the Oilers Tonight

Game 4 isn’t just a must-win—it’s a mirror. It reflects who the Oilers are, what they’re made of, and whether the leadership core can elevate when it matters most. It’s a test of resilience, of clarity, of belief.

Jun 6, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) reacts with center Connor McDavid (97) and defenseman Evan Bouchard (2) after scoring a goal against the Florida Panthers during the first period in game two of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images

Edmonton doesn’t need perfection. They need poise. They need a sharp performance from Skinner. They need their stars to lead, not just in effort but in execution. And they must turn the urgency we saw in practice into something tangible when the puck drops.

The Bottom Line for the Oilers

This is the crucible—not just of the series but possibly of this era of Oilers hockey. If the team folds, it invites an offseason full of questions about its core’s ceiling. But everything changes if the Oilers push back—if they win Game 4 and block the Panthers’ momentum.

Game 4 might not be the end of the road, but it’s the last turnoff before the cliff. Whether the Oilers fly or fall, this is the moment we’ll point back to where everything was decided.