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Oilers Break 35-Year Trend with Stanley Cup Final Game 1 Win

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jun 5, 2025 7:14 AM ET

The last time the Edmonton Oilers led a Stanley Cup Final series, Mark Messier ended up lifting the Cup in what amounted to be the fifth and last championship in the Oilers' 45-year history.

That was 1990 and happened 35 years ago.

The Oilers hadn’t held a lead in a Final since that summer as they failed to accomplish that feat in 2006 and lastly in 2024, when they fell behind 3-0 before forcing a Game 7 against these same Florida Panthers.

"Edmonton can say something not said in 35 years: #Oilers have a lead in a Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 1990," NHL Insider Frank Seravalli pointed out on X. "#LetsGoOilers played catch-up for the entirety of the 2024 and 2006 series, losing both in Game 7."

Edmonton can say something not said in 35 years: #Oilers have a lead in a Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 1990.#LetsGoOilers played catch-up for entirety of the 2024 and 2006 series, losing both in Game 7.

Leon Draisaitl played hero with OT GWG.

Game 2 on Friday. pic.twitter.com/Dxe0seXzrv
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) June 5, 2025

Recent history didn't repeat itself, however, as the Oilers flipped the script on Wednesday night in Game 1 by erasing a two-goal deficit and taking a 4-3 win in overtime.

Leon Draisaitl scored twice, including the power-play winner with 31 seconds left in OT, to put the Oilers ahead 1-0 in the series, a first in 35 years.

"We stick with it and we’re never going to quit," Draisaitl said. "It was a pretty evenly-played game but we got it done when it mattered most."

Florida built a 3-1 lead on goals by Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand, but Ekholm tied the game at 6:33 of the third off a setup by Connor McDavid, who also assisted on Draisaitl’s winner.

Edmonton also got goals from Viktor Arvidsson and Mattias Ekholm, while goalie Stuart Skinner made 29 saves and team captain McDavid assisted on the game-tying and game-winning goals.

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

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

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