NHL Playoffs 2025: Stanley Cup Final Schedule, Bracket, Scores, as Oilers Take Game 1 Over Panthers in OT

Fueled by the impressive partnership of Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, the Edmonton Oilers have secured a 1-0 advantage in the Stanley Cup Final series. This dynamic duo combined forces to net the game-winning goal in overtime, propelling their team to a 4-3 victory over the Florida Panthers in the opening game.

Draisaitl made his presence felt almost immediately. Just 66 seconds into the contest, he capitalized on a rebound chance, scoring the fastest goal to start a Stanley Cup Final since 1976.

Credit to the Panthers, they mounted a determined comeback. They netted three consecutive goals, two courtesy of their playoff workhorse Sam Bennett, establishing a 3-2 lead entering the third period.

Usually, such a lead would be insurmountable for Florida`s opponents, but not for the Oilers. Edmonton needed a significant play, and it materialized when McDavid controlled the puck from his familiar spot behind the net, finding Mattias Ekholm driving towards the high slot. Ekholm received the pass and fired a shot past Sergei Bobrovsky to level the score at 3-3.

In overtime, both squads traded opportunities, but a crucial error by Florida forward Tomas Nosek, who sent the puck over the glass, resulted in a delay of game penalty. This handed the Oilers` potent power play a chance, and McDavid and Draisaitl connected on a sharp one-timer to seal the win and claim the crucial 1-0 series lead.

Stuart Skinner, the Oilers` goaltender, began the game somewhat unsteadily but recovered effectively after the Panthers took their 3-1 lead. He ultimately stopped 29 of the 32 shots he faced, making several key saves during the overtime period.

Stanley Cup Final

Edmonton Oilers vs. Florida Panthers

• Game 1: Oilers 4, Panthers 3 (OT)
• Game 2: Friday, June 6 | at EDM | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV
• Game 3: Monday, June 9 | at FLA | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV
• Game 4: Thursday, June 12 | at FLA | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV
• *Game 5: Saturday, June 14 | at EDM | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV
• *Game 6: Tuesday, June 17 | at FLA | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV
• *Game 7: Friday, June 20 | at EDM | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV

Western Conference Final

(2) Dallas Stars vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers

• Game 1: Stars 6, Oilers 3
• Game 2: Oilers 3, Stars 0
• Game 3: Oilers 6, Stars 1
• Game 4: Oilers 4, Stars 1
• Game 5: Oilers 6, Stars 3

Eastern Conference Final

(2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (3) Florida Panthers

• Game 1: Panthers 5, Hurricanes 2
• Game 2: Panthers 5, Hurricanes 0
• Game 3: Panthers 6, Hurricanes 2
• Game 4: Hurricanes 3, Panthers 0
• Game 5: Panthers 5, Hurricanes 3

Round 2

(1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (3) Florida Panthers

• Game 1: Maple Leafs 5, Panthers 4
• Game 2: Maple Leafs 4, Panthers 3
• Game 3: Panthers 5, Maple Leafs 4 (OT)
• Game 4: Panthers 2, Maple Leafs 0
• Game 5: Panthers 6, Maple Leafs 1
• Game 6: Maple Leafs 2, Panthers 0
• Game 7: Panthers 6, Maple Leafs 1

(1) Washington Capitals vs. (2) Carolina Hurricanes

• Game 1: Hurricanes 2, Capitals 1 (OT)
• Game 2: Capitals 3, Hurricanes 1
• Game 3: Hurricanes 4, Capitals 0
• Game 4: Hurricanes 5, Capitals 2
• Game 5: Hurricanes 3, Capitals 1

(1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (2) Dallas Stars

• Game 1: Stars 3, Jets 2
• Game 2: Jets 4, Stars 0
• Game 3: Stars 5, Jets 2
• Game 4: Stars 3, Jets 1
• Game 5: Jets 4, Stars 0
• Game 6: Stars 2, Jets 1 (OT)

(1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers

• Game 1: Oilers 4, Golden Knights 2
• Game 2: Oilers 5, Golden Knights 4 (OT)
• Game 3: Golden Knights 4, Oilers 3
• Game 4: Oilers 3, Golden Knights 0
• Game 5: Oilers 1, Golden Knights 0 (OT)

Round 1

(1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (WC1) Ottawa Senators

• Game 1: Maple Leafs 6, Senators 2
• Game 2: Maple Leafs 3, Senators 2 (OT)
• Game 3: Maple Leafs 3, Senators 2 (OT)
• Game 4: Senators 4, Maple Leafs 3 (OT)
• Game 5: Senators 4, Maple Leafs 0
• Game 6: Maple Leafs 4, Senators 2

(2) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (3) Florida Panthers

• Game 1: Panthers 6, Lightning 2
• Game 2: Panthers 2, Lightning 0
• Game 3: Lightning 5, Panthers 1
• Game 4: Panthers 4, Lightning 2
• Game 5: Panthers 6, Lightning 3

(1) Washington Capitals vs. (WC2) Montreal Canadiens

• Game 1: Capitals 3, Canadiens 2 (OT)
• Game 2: Capitals 3, Canadiens 1
• Game 3: Canadiens 6, Capitals 3
• Game 4: Capitals 5, Canadiens 2
• Game 5: Capitals 4, Canadiens 1

(2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (3) New Jersey Devils

• Game 1: Hurricanes 4, Devils 1
• Game 2: Hurricanes 3, Devils 1
• Game 3: Devils 3, Hurricanes 2 (2OT)
• Game 4: Hurricanes 5, Devils 2
• Game 5: Hurricanes 5, Devils 4 (2OT)

(1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (WC2) St. Louis Blues

• Game 1: Jets 5, Blues 3
• Game 2: Jets 2, Blues 1
• Game 3: Blues 7, Jets 2
• Game 4: Blues 5, Jets 1
• Game 5: Jets 5, Blues 3
• Game 6: Blues 5, Jets 2
• Game 7: Jets 4, Blues 3 (2OT)

(2) Dallas Stars vs. (3) Colorado Avalanche

• Game 1: Avalanche 5, Stars 1
• Game 2: Stars 4, Avalanche 3 (OT)
• Game 3: Stars 2, Avalanche 1 (OT)
• Game 4: Avalanche 4, Stars 0
• Game 5: Stars 6, Avalanche 2
• Game 6: Avalanche 7, Stars 4
• Game 7: Stars 4, Avalanche 2

(1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (WC1) Minnesota Wild

• Game 1: Golden Knights 4, Wild 2
• Game 2: Wild 5, Golden Knights 2
• Game 3: Wild 5, Golden Knights 2
• Game 4: Golden Knights 4, Wild 3 (OT)
• Game 5: Golden Knights 3, Wild 2 (OT)
• Game 6: Golden Knights 3, Wild 2

(2) Los Angeles Kings vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers

• Game 1: Kings 6, Oilers 5
• Game 2: Kings 6, Oilers 2
• Game 3: Oilers 7, Kings 4
• Game 4: Oilers 4, Kings 3 (OT)
• Game 5: Oilers 3, Kings 1
• Game 6: Oilers 6, Kings 4