By Joe Coopersmith

NHL Public Relations

OILERS STAGE THREE-GOAL COMEBACK TO EVEN SERIES IN OT THRILLER

The stars were out at Amerant Bank Arena with NFL legend Jason Taylor, Hockey Hall of Famer Jaromir Jagr as well as Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce in attendance among the sellout crowd of 19,994 for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final. All those in attendance witnessed a rare spectacle, as the Oilers rallied from a three-goal deficit to take a third-period lead, relinquished the second-latest tying goal in Final history before evening the series on Leon Draisaitl’s record-setting fourth overtime goal of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs – the 100th overtime game in Stanley Cup Final history.

* The rollercoaster of a game saw the Panthers jump out to a 3-0 lead in the first period, sparked by two goals from Matthew Tkachuk, while outshooting the Oilers by a 17-7 margin. In the second period, Edmonton flipped the script, scoring three goals to tie the game while outshooting Florida 17-10. That set the stage for two late goals in regulation causing another dramatic swing, with Jake Walman giving the Oilers a lead with just 6:24 remaining in regulation before Sam Reinhart tied it up with 20 seconds left on the clock to force the 100th overtime game in Stanley Cup Final history.

* The Oilers became the seventh team in Stanley Cup Final history to win a game in which they trailed by three or more goals, and just the second team to accomplish the feat on the road joining the Canadiens 106 years ago (Game 5 of 1919 SCF).

DRAISAITL BREAKS OT RECORD, REACHES 30 POINTS AGAIN

After the morning skate prior to Thursday’s game, Leon Draisaitl talked about how his team has always had the ability to bounce back from bad performances. Then in Game 4, Draisaitl (1-2—3) led the Oilers to a three-goal comeback victory with his record-setting fourth overtime goal of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Draisaitl had never scored a playoff overtime goal entering the 2025 postseason.

* Not only did Draisaitl set the aforementioned NHL record for most overtime goals in a single playoff year (4), he established a new franchise record for the most all-time in the postseason in Oilers history.

* Draisaitl became the fifth player in NHL history to score multiple overtime goals in a Stanley Cup Final (also Game 1), joining Maurice Richard (3), Don Raleigh (2), Jacques Lemaire (2) and John LeClair (2). Only Raleigh in 1950 (Game 4 & 5 w/ NYR) and LeClair in 1993 (Game 3 & 4 w/ MTL) did so in the same series.

* Draisaitl improved his point total this postseason to 11-21—32 (20 GP) and became the fifth player in NHL history to record 30 points in consecutive postseasons. He joined teammate Connor McDavid (2024-2025), Nikita Kucherov (2020-2021), Mario Lemieux (1991-1992) and Wayne Gretzky (1987-1988 & 1983-1985).

* The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs marks the third time in his career Draisaitl has had a 30-point postseason. The only other players to reach the benchmark in three or more postseasons: Gretzky (6x), McDavid (3x) and Mark Messier (3x).

60 IS NOT ENOUGH IN THE 2025 FINAL
The thrills kept coming in Game 4 with the 100th overtime game in Stanley Cup Final history and the third through the first four games of this series.

* Just four other Stanley Cup Final series have featured overtime in three of the first four games: Blackhawks-Bruins in 2013 (Game 1, 2 & 4), Canadiens-Kings in 1993 (Game 2, 3 & 4), Maple Leafs-Canadiens in 1951 (Game 1, 2, 3 & 4) and Canadiens-Bruins in 1946 (Game 1, 2 & 4).

* This year marks the eighth Stanley Cup Final – and fourth in the expansion era (since 1967-68) – to have three or more games require overtime. The others: 2014 (3), 2013 (3), 1993 (3), 1951 (5), 1950 (3), 1946 (3) and 1940 (3).

MORE NOTES FROM GAME 4
A look at more select notes from Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final can be found below and by visiting #NHLStats: Live Updates.

* Calvin Pickard entered the game at the start of the second period and stopped 22 of the 23 shots he faced to become the sixth goaltender in NHL history to win a Stanley Cup Final game in relief. Pickard improved his record to 7-0 in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, becoming the fourth goaltender in Oilers history to earn a win in seven straight postseason decisions, joining Grant Fuhr (9-0 in 1985 & 8-0 in 1988), Bill Ranford (8-0 in 1990) and Dwayne Roloson (7-0 in 2006).

* Sam Reinhart scored at 59:40 of the third period and marked the second-latest tying goal in Stanley Cup Final history – the record was set earlier in the series when Corey Perry tied Game 2 with 18 seconds remaining. The 2025 Stanley Cup Final is the first to feature multiple games with a tying goal in the final minute.

* The Oilers’ Game 4 victory ensures the Stanley Cup Final will require at least six games for the 19th time in the past 25 Final series.

* The 32 goals in this series are the fourth most through the first four games of a Stanley Cup Final, trailing 1918 (36 between Toronto Arenas-Vancouver Millionaires), 1981 (36 between NYI-MNS) and 1980 (33 between PHI-NYI).

HELLEBUYCK, KOPITAR LATEST STARS SURPRISED WITH NHL AWARDS

Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (Hart Trophy & Vezina Trophy) and Kings forward Anze Kopitar (Lady Byng Trophy) were the latest recipients of NHL Awards who were presented their hardware with a special surprise presentation. The NHL also announced the 2024-25 First and Second All-Star Teams as well as the All-Rookie Team.

* For the second consecutive season and third time overall, Hellebuyck was presented the Vezina Trophy, awarded “to the goaltender adjudged to be the best at his position,” as selected by NHL general managers. He is the fourth goaltender to win the Vezina at least three times under its current format (since 1981-82), following Dominik Hasek (6x), Martin Brodeur (4x) and Patrick Roy (3x).

* Hellebuyck was also named the recipient of the Hart Memorial Trophy, presented “to the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team,” as selected by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. He is the fourth netminder in the expansion era (since 1967-68) to win the award, following Hasek (1996-97 & 1997-98 w/ BUF), Jose Theodore (2001-02 w/ MTL) and Carey Price (2014-15 w/ MTL).

* Hellebuyck was enjoying a quiet morning fishing. When he returned home, his family, parents and close friends were waiting at the dock to surprise him with the trophy.

* Kings center Kopitar was the 2024-25 recipient of the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, awarded “to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.” The Kings’ captain – who is spending his offseason in his native Slovenia – learned the news from his children, who handed him special drawings of the Lady Byng before giving him the replica trophy.

* The 37-year-old Kopitar, who previously received the award in 2015-16 and 2022-23, is the third player this century with at least three Lady Byng Trophy wins. The others: Pavel Datsyuk (4x) and Martin St. Louis (3x).

QUICK CLICKS

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* Rangers trade Chris Kreider to the Ducks
* NHL Draft: Victor Eklund regarded for “fearless” style of play

* NHL Draft: Justin Carbonneau brings football mentality to the ice

COURTESY NHL PUBLIC RELATIONS