The Edmonton Oilers drew first blood as they took a 1-0 lead in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final with a 4-3 overtime victory over the Florida Panthers on Wednesday. After the game, skipper Connor McDavid didn't waste time as he spoke highly about Leon Draisaitl for coming through in the clutch.
What did Connor McDavid say about Leon Draisaitl?
Leon Draisaitl scored the winning goal of the match on a power play as he deflected McDavid's pass in to the net in overtime. This was also his third OT goal in the 2025 playoffs.
You can't put a number on it. He's invaluable. Does so many good things. Clutch, faceoffs, you name it, he does it. Doesn't get enough respect or credit for his defensive abilities. When he's dug in, there's not many better, maybe nobody better. McDavid said on Draisaitl.
In response to what McDavid said about Draisaitl, the latter was quick to praise his teammates following his OT winner.
I'm standing over there watching this whole thing unfold, and I'm the beneficiary, but the work is done way before that, he said, highlighting the excellent passing sequence that led to his goal.
Game 1 saw Leon Draisaitl score two goals, Viktor Arvidsson and Mattias Ekholm scored one each. For the Florida Panthers, Sam Bennett scored two goals and Brad Marchand had one.
Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner was at the top of his game as he made 29 saves but Panthers' goalkeeper Sergei Bobrovsky was in another world as he had 42 stops to his name. The Game 2 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Finals will be played on Friday night.
Edmonton Oilers defeat Florida Panthers 4-3 in Game 1
Leon Draisaitl opened the scoring for the Oilers in the first period, this also marked his first career Cup Final goal. Florida tied in the first period with Sam Bennett scoring.
Edmonton Oilers had contested the goal for goaltender interference but the call was upheld as the Panthers got a power play. Brad Marchand took the opportunity with both hands to give his team a 2-1 lead.
Bennett scored early in the second period as the Panthers had a commanding 3-1 lead. But, then Viktor Arvidsson's shot from the left point went in as the deficit was cut down to 3-2. In the third period, Draisaitl circled behind the net and gave a backhand pass to Ekholm, who scored from the left circle to make it 3-3. Then in the overtime, Leon Draisaitl managed to score and clinch Game 1 for his team.