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Oilers Coach Sends Strong Message to Bettman and Maurice After Controversial Panthers Goal

Originally posted on Hockey Latest | By Daniel Lucente | Last updated Jun 5, 2025 1:03 PM ET

Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch was not pleased with the controversial Panthers goal and sent a warning to Gary Bettman as well as Paul Maurice.

Leon Draisaitl made sure that history did not repeat itself. After a scoreless drought in last season's Stanley Cup Final, Draisaitl scored twice in Game 1 of this playoff series, including the overtime winner, as the Edmonton Oilers stunned the Florida Panthers with an electrifying 4-3 comeback win on Wednesday at Rogers Place.

Draisaitl scored at 1:06 in the first period and followed it up with a power-play goal with 31 seconds left in overtime after Edmonton came back from a 3-1 deficit.

The game was not without controversy. Florida's initial goal, a Sam Bennett score at 10:49 of the opening period, was challenged by the Oilers for goalie interference, as Bennett collided with Stuart Skinner before reaching the puck.

Edmonton lost the challenge as the review found Oilers defenseman Brett Kulak initiated contact, which then sent the Panthers on a power play. Brad Marchand put it in less than two minutes later to make it 2-1.

Kris Knoblauch was adamant that the call on the ice was the wrong one

Head coach Kris Knoblauch wasn't about to back down afterwards, stating he would most definitely challenge that again, and made it clear he was convinced the call on the ice was the wrong one.

'I would challenge that any day. Actually, I challenged it, I was on the bench and I was even looking at it again. I was getting ready for the next lines, and I see the player fall in. I was told he was tripped.
If that play happened again, I would challenge it. What I've seen in the NHL this year on the challenges for goaltender interference, I had a lot of confidence and would challenge that again.'

- Kris Knoblauch

It was a thinly veiled warning shot to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and Panthers coach Paul Maurice, indicating clearly that Edmonton will not be pushed around by disputed calls.

Despite the early struggles, Skinner recovered, stopping the final 16 shots he faced. Viktor Arvidsson and Mattias Ekholm scored goals, the former on a dazzling pass by Connor McDavid, to force the game into overtime, where the Oilers outshot Florida 10-6.

Edmonton dominated the third period with a 14-2 edge in shots, playing well right into the end of the game.

This article first appeared on Hockey Latest and was syndicated with permission.

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