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Wayne Gretzky Nails Connor McDavid Prediction in Surreal Fashion

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jun 5, 2025 6:44 AM ET

The Edmonton Oilers never led last year's finals but they started this season's Stanley Cup Final with a lead, beating the Florida Panthers 4-3 in Game 1 on Wednesday night.

Leon Draisaitl's power-play goal in overtime gave the Oilers a 1-0 series lead and, judging by Wayne Gretzky's comments, some fans might have thought the ending was scripted.

Before the third period, the Oilers trailed the Panthers 3-2. On the NHL on TNT broadcast, Wayne Gretzky predicted what had to happen for Edmonton to tie the game and flip the scoreboard.

"Connor is going to have to take it around the net or stop up and hit the late guy," Gretzky said. "Because they are cutting everything off, going to the net."

Wayne Gretzky straight up predicted McDavid's 3rd period game-tying assist pic.twitter.com/DsIKuz5EkZ
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) June 5, 2025

Less than ten minutes later, Connor McDavid circled the Florida net, held the puck, drew in two defenders, and found Mattias Ekholm for the game-tying goal at 6:33 of the third frame.

It unfolded exactly as Gretzky had predicted, and it was all Edmonton needed to send the game to overtime and earn the win.

After the game, after getting nicknamed "Gretztradamus" by the TNT panel, Gretzky dismissed the prediction as mere "luck."

"Let me tell you something, that is called luck," Gretzky said. "Because he’s the best player in the world. He knows what he’s doing.

"I just got lucky with that statement."

The Oilers went on to win the game 4-3 in overtime after McDavid notched his second assist of the game, this time on Leon Draisaitl’s game-winner, giving the Oilers their first lead in a Stanley Cup Final series in 35 years.

"You can’t put a number on it. He’s invaluable," McDavid said of Draisaitl. "So many good things, clutch, faceoffs. You name it, he does it."

Game 2 is scheduled for Friday at Rogers Place in Edmonton.

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

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