Oilers Might Have Panthers Right Where They Want Them

After losing to the Florida Panthers by a score of 6-1 in Game 3 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final on Monday (June 9) at Sunrise’s Amerant Bank Arena, the Edmonton Oilers trail 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.

That means if they are to end Canada’s 32-year Stanley Cup drought, the Oilers must now win three of the next four games against the defending NHL champions. It’s a tall order, but if any team can do it, Edmonton is the one.

While the Oilers wowed the hockey world with a record six straight comeback victories earlier this postseason, battling back has long been a hallmark of the Connor McDavid era in Oil Country. In fact, Edmonton has been so good when playing from behind that you might even say the Oilers have the Panthers right where they want them.

So as the Oilers get set for Game 4 on Thursday (June 12), here’s a look at their historical trends that suggest a comeback is in the offing.

Coming Back From 2-1 Deficit

Since McDavid was drafted by the Oilers in 2015, Edmonton has trailed 2-1 in a best-of-seven series on five occasions, and has rallied to win the series all but once, including the last three times.

It was only seven weeks ago, in the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, that Edmonton dropped Games 1 and 2 to the Los Angeles Kings before storming back with four consecutive victories.

On their journey to the Stanley Cup Final last year, the Oilers rallied from 2-1 deficits in the second round against the Vancouver Canucks and Western Conference Final against the Dallas Stars. Edmonton also came back after falling behind 2-1 against Los Angeles in the opening round of the 2023 postseason.

The only time that McDavid hasn’t been able to lead the Oilers back from a 2-1 deficit was two years ago, when they were eliminated by the eventual champion Vegas Golden Knights in the second round.

Unbeatable in Game 4

Even when Edmonton lost the series to Vegas in 2023, the Oilers still managed to win Game 4 to even up the series 2-2. Edmonton has a perfect record of 5-0 in Game 4 when trailing the series 2-1 during the McDavid era.