A Night for the Ages: Oilers’ Historic Game 4 Comeback
Some nights in the Stanley Cup Final etch themselves into history. June 12, 2025, might just be one of them for the Edmonton Oilers. If they can pull off the monumental task of winning two more games to end Canada’s 32-year Stanley Cup drought, their dramatic Game 4 victory will undoubtedly be a moment everyone remembers.
Facing a 3-0 deficit against the formidable Florida Panthers after a disastrous first period, the Oilers dug deep, igniting a comeback that felt like a defining point in their playoff journey. Despite trailing significantly and having struggled since the end of Game 3, the team found a way to reverse their fortunes.
From Despair to Determination
The start couldn’t have been worse for Edmonton. Penalty trouble, lackluster play, and getting outworked for a fourth straight period dating back to Game 3 made the series feel all but decided after the opening 20 minutes. However, in the quiet of the dressing room during the first intermission, something shifted.
“Just no panic at all,” said defenseman Jake Walman, describing the mood. “It was almost strange. It was quiet confidence… knowing that, as a team, we were going to come back in this game. There was no doubt about it, I think, from our group.”
This belief wasn’t unfounded. The Oilers had already proven their mettle throughout these playoffs, becoming known as comeback kings. The Game 4 victory marked their eighth comeback win of the postseason, tying a franchise record – a capability they showcased even back in Round 1 against the Kings. As superstar Connor McDavid noted earlier in the series, “We all understand that it’s never over with this group.”
Corey Perry’s Pivotal Address
A significant factor in igniting the second-period surge was a timely message delivered by 40-year-old veteran Corey Perry. Known for his experience and playoff pedigree – having “won everything there is to win” – Perry isn’t a player who speaks up often, which made his address particularly impactful.
“Just get to work; honestly, that was the message,” said Darnell Nurse, who scored a crucial goal in the comeback. He acknowledged the tone might have been “a little different” than usual, but the core instruction was clear: “Let’s put our heads down and get to work.”
Players like Nurse and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins emphasized the immense respect Perry commands in the room. “Everybody in that room respects so much; he’s been through it all,” Nugent-Hopkins stated. Leon Draisaitl added that when a player with Perry’s experience and winning history speaks, “you listen. And it grabs your attention.”
Breaking the Panthers’ Iron Grip
The Oilers’ comeback wasn’t just remarkable; it was historic because it occurred against a team renowned for slamming the door shut. Entering Game 4, the Florida Panthers, under coach Paul Maurice, boasted an astonishing 31-0 playoff record over the past three seasons when leading after the first or second period.
Yet, for the second time in this series (the first being their Game 1 overtime loss where they failed to hold a lead in the third period), the Oilers found a way to shatter Florida’s perfect record when ahead. This time, it involved overcoming a 3-0 deficit, scoring four unanswered goals to take a 4-3 lead.
The Panthers, true to their battling form, tied the game with just 19.5 seconds left, forcing overtime and throwing one last dose of adversity at Edmonton. But the Oilers, fueled by their newfound momentum and desperation, wouldn’t be denied. At 11:18 into the extra frame, Leon Draisaitl delivered the magical moment, scoring the game-winner and capping off the incredible 5-4 victory.
Shifting the Series Narrative
Game 4 felt like a must-win for the Oilers, not for mathematical survival, but for the essential belief in their ability to challenge a seemingly unbeatable Panthers team. Winning in such unforgettable fashion allowed the team to “breathe again,” as Nugent-Hopkins put it.
The dramatic finish reignited the series, restoring its billing as a clash between two “juggernaut teams slugging it out.” Both sides are making each other incredibly uncomfortable, creating “incredible theatre” for the fans.
As coach Maurice acknowledged, despite the high scores, the series features phenomenal goaltending given the relentless pace and dangerous scoring chances. The mental intensity and toughness required from both teams are immense, proving that “the game’s not going to be over until it is.”
With the series heading back to Edmonton for Game 5, the Oilers have injected newfound hope and drama into the Stanley Cup Final. The atmosphere at Rogers Place is expected to be electric, mirroring the unpredictable and thrilling nature of the series itself.
