May 21, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars center Tyler Seguin (91) reacts after scoring a goal against the Edmonton Oilers in the third period during game one of the Western Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Playing From Behind Nothing New for Oilers

Originally posted on Breakaway on SI | By Nick Horwat | Last updated May 22, 2025 2:00 PM ET

Heading into the final frame of Game 1 of the Western Conference Final, the Edmonton Oilers held a 3-1 lead over the Dallas Stars. Despite the two-goal lead, the Oilers walked away losers, allowing five goals to the Stars in the final frame.

The Oilers lost 6-3 and found themselves behind in the series, but that’s nothing new for Edmonton. According to Sportsnet’s Jack Michaels, the Oilers have won nine playoff series since the 2017 playoffs but have played from behind in seven of them.

Oilers have won nine series since 2017. They’ve trailed at some point in the series in seven of them.
— Jack Michaels (@EdmontonJack) May 22, 2025

In the Connor McDavid/Leon Draisaitl era, the Oilers have been one of the most feared teams in the NHL, but have commonly gotten off to slow starts in playoff series. With seven come-from-behind series wins, the Oilers can almost never be counted out.

The Oilers kicked off the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs down 2-0 to the Los Angeles Kings, but roared back to win in six games.

Even last year in the Western Conference Final against the Stars, the Oilers had to come from behind. The Oilers won Game 1, but the Stars won Games 2 and 3 to take a lead in the series.

The Oilers rolled to three straight wins and advanced to their first Stanley Cup Final with McDavid and Draisaitl leading the way. While the Oilers ultimate walked away losers in the Cup Final, they didn’t go down without a fight.

The Florida Panthers won the first three games of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, putting the Oilers on the brink quickly. The Oilers completely flipped the script on Florida and forced a Game 7, nearly completing another massive comeback.

One game behind, or even behind behind in a single game, is nothing for the Oilers to be worried about. McDavid and Draisaitl have been in this position plenty and won’t quit until they get the job done.

This article first appeared on Breakaway on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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