🕐 11:23 p.m. ET – Halfway Through Overtime
We're halfway through the extra frame and the tension is palpable. Florida came out strong in overtime, but Edmonton has steadied the ship. That said, the play has been much more conservative compared to the first three periods.
Key chances:
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Kasperi Kapanen rang one off the post around the 7-minute mark.
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Trent Frederic had a golden opportunity two minutes later.
This is where numbers fade and heart takes over. But while we wait for someone to etch their name into Stanley Cup lore, here are some quick OT stats:
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This is the 98th overtime game in Stanley Cup Final history.
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Road teams hold a slight edge: 51-43-3 (.526).
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Oilers have eight players with previous OT playoff winners:
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Corey Perry (5), McDavid (2), Draisaitl (2), Henrique (2), Kapanen (2), Arvidsson (1), Klingberg (1), Bouchard (1).
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Panthers have four:
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Verhaeghe (5), Marchand (4), Tkachuk (3), Reinhart (2).
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Only Verhaeghe and Perry have scored OT winners in a Final.
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Oilers’ OT record: 32-29 overall, 15-17 at home.
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Panthers’ OT record: 15-10 overall, 9-5 on the road.
🕐 11:15 p.m. ET – Overtime Begins
The puck has dropped on overtime.
One moment. One shot. One hero.
For the first time ever in a Stanley Cup Final matchup between the Oilers and Panthers, Game 1 has gone to overtime. This is also the 21st time overall and the first since 2022 that the opening game of the Final needed extra time.
Historical breakdown of OT Game 1s in the Final:
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Road teams have won 11 times
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Home teams have won 8
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There was 1 tie — Bruins vs. original Senators in 1927 (yes, that far back!)
🕐 10:52 p.m. ET – Headed to Overtime
We’re tied 3-3 after 60 minutes of exhilarating hockey. The crowd gets free hockey tonight.
Third Period Recap:
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Edmonton dominated with a 14-2 shot advantage but could only net one.
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Goals:
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Panthers – Sam Bennett (2), Brad Marchand (1)
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Oilers – Leon Draisaitl, Viktor Arvidsson, Mattias Ekholm
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Goalie duel:
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Sergei Bobrovsky: 33 saves
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Stuart Skinner: 23 saves
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As “Thunderstruck” blared through the arena with under a minute left, the crowd erupted with a roar. The energy in Rogers Place is electric heading into overtime.
Players rest. Fans hold their breath. We're on the brink of Final magic.
🕐 10:49 p.m. ET – Zombie Mode Activated
With 7 minutes remaining, the arena echoed with “Zombie” by The Cranberries. A fitting track for this war of attrition.
“What’s in your head, in your head? Zombie, zombie...”
These players aren’t zombies, but you have to wonder — what is in their heads after 55 minutes of battle?
Can they push one more shift? Can someone rise to be the hero?
🕐 10:34 p.m. ET – Tied at 3 with 10 to Go
It’s nail-biting time. This game is an instant classic.
The pace? Relentless. The crowd? Rabid.
The stakes? A moment of legend.
As the teams exchange chances and challenges, this battle inches closer to sudden death. Who’s ready to make the leap?
🕐 10:24 p.m. ET – Ekholm Ties It Up!
Mattias Ekholm unleashes a thunderous slap shot at 6:23 to even the score at 3-3.
What a comeback story. Ekholm missed most of the playoffs with a near season-ending injury. He clawed back to rejoin the Oilers in Game 5 of the Western Conference Final. Tonight, he earns his moment.
Connor McDavid picks up the primary assist — his first point of the series.