The 2024 Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers is already etching its name into hockey history as an “all-time classic.” Even with the series tied 2-2 and heading to a pivotal Game 5 in Edmonton, players and coaches on both sides agree this championship showdown is delivering unparalleled excitement and drama.
“Oh, this is as good as this thing gets. This is Christmas, this is the payoff,” declared Florida Panthers coach Paul Maurice after the thrilling Game 4, a 5-4 overtime loss that saw the Oilers claw back from a 3-0 deficit to even the series.
The high-stakes battle, marked by wild momentum swings, spectacular goals, crucial saves, and frazzled nerves, has truly been the gift that keeps on giving for hockey fans.
Why the 2024 Final is an Instant Classic
This series isn’t just exciting; it’s statistically remarkable, earning praise from veterans like Oilers forward Corey Perry, who called it “probably” the best of the six Finals he’s played in. The reasons for its classic status are clear:
Overtime Thrillers: Three of the first four games required extra time to decide a winner. This makes it just the eighth Stanley Cup Final in NHL history (and fourth in the expansion era since 1967-68) to feature at least three games going beyond regulation. The most recent was the 2014 Final between the Rangers and Kings.
High-Scoring Affairs: The Oilers and Panthers combined for 32 goals through the first four games. That’s the fourth-most goals at this stage of a Final since 1980, and the most since the Flyers and Islanders combined for 33 that year. Reaching 40 combined goals through five games would be the first time since the 2010 Final.
- Dramatic Comebacks: Game 4 saw the Oilers overcome a 3-0 first-period deficit for a memorable win. Edmonton now has two multi-goal comeback victories in the series, tied for the second-most in Final history (trailing only the 1987 Flyers). Adding to the drama, two games in this Final have been tied with 20 seconds or less remaining in regulation – a first in Stanley Cup Final history. Sam Reinhart’s Game 4 tying goal with 20 seconds left is the second-latest in a Cup Final game, just behind Corey Perry’s Game 2 goal at 18 seconds.
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Game 4’s Epic Comeback and the Goaltending Dynamic
The Game 4 comeback epitomizes the series’ unpredictable nature. The Panthers jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first period against Oilers starter Stuart Skinner, with Matthew Tkachuk scoring two power-play goals and Anton Lundell adding another after an Oilers turnover.
At the start of the second period, the Oilers made a change, bringing in Calvin Pickard. Skinner, who was also pulled in Game 3, allowed three goals on 17 shots. Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch explained the decision, stating the team was “flat” in front of Skinner and “needed to change things up.”
Pickard’s entry proved to be a turning point. He was spectacular in relief, stopping 22 of the 23 shots he faced through regulation and overtime. The only goal he allowed was Reinhart’s late tying marker. His strong play, including crucial saves like a vital stop on Sam Bennett in overtime that Perry highlighted, backstopped the Oilers’ rally from 3-0 down to take a 4-3 lead, survive the late tying goal, and eventually win in overtime.
While the Oilers have navigated goaltending questions, Sergei Bobrovsky has been the steady presence for Florida. Tkachuk called “Bobby” their “rock back there,” making “unreal saves” throughout the playoffs and giving them a chance every night. Through four games, Bobrovsky holds a 2-2 record with a 2.83 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage.
For the Oilers, the decision for Game 5 is looming. Knoblauch hasn’t publicly named his starter. Pickard boasts a perfect 7-0 record in the playoffs with a 2.69 GAA and .896 SV% in relief and spot starts, while Skinner’s playoff record is 7-6 with a 2.99 GAA and .891 SV%. Pickard’s seven consecutive playoff wins tie him with Oilers legends like Grant Fuhr and Bill Ranford.
Stress, Excitement, and the Road Ahead
For coaches and players, this intensity is taxing but ultimately rewarding. Knoblauch admitted games like Game 4 are “exhausting” and a “roller coaster” but acknowledged his appreciation for the high level of play. “But with what’s on the line, it’s stressful,” he added.
Paul Maurice framed the Final as the “juice you live for,” a payoff for the grind of a long season compared to less glamorous regular-season matchups. Florida captain Aleksander Barkov emphasized the difficulty of moving past a tough loss like Game 4, stressing the importance of players recovering and supporting each other ahead of the immediate travel and Game 5.
Heading into Game 5 in Edmonton with the series tied 2-2, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The Panthers are focused on turning the page, maintaining a “calm and confident” “Game 7 mindset,” according to defenseman Gustav Forsling. Maurice confirmed no lineup changes are planned, with the focus on reviewing Game 4 film.
This Stanley Cup Final is undeniably living up to the hype, delivering historic moments, thrilling finishes, and compelling narratives, particularly around the goaltending battle. As the series shifts to Edmonton, the anticipation for the next chapter of this already legendary showdown is palpable.
