Have you caught your breath from Game 3 yet?
Hopefully so, because Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final is here, as the Florida Panthers try to create some separation in the series, and bring a two-game advantage back to Edmonton next week to apply some pressure. Florida is coming off a 6-1 win on June 9 – which featured plenty of penalties, fights and scoring – as the Panthers appeared to take some wind out of the Oilers’ sails.
Following the intensity of Game 3, which saw the depth of the Panthers’ scoring capabilities from veteran 37-year-old Brad Marchand to defenseman Aaron Ekblad, Florida has its second home game of the series tonight at 8 p.m. It’s still possible that the Panthers could end this series in five games, should all go in their favor tonight.
Edmonton ties the series up off the stick of Leon Draisaitl, who scored his second overtime-winner of the series. That’s an NHL record fourth-overtime goal of the postseason overall.
Edmonton winds up holding on after being down and out, 3-0, after the first period. Draisaitl just pushed the puck toward the net with one hand on the stuck, and it somehow bounced through the five-hole of Sergei Bobrovsky.
Florida is now the first team in Stanley Cup Final history to lose a game in the series after leading by three goals or more. Prior to tonight, teams were 37-0 when leading by three or more.
The Oilers, with the 5-4 win, head back to Edmonton with the series tied, 2-2.
Sam Bennett looked like he had the game won, but he wound up hitting the crossbar to keep the game going in overtime. The entire arena thought Florida had just won Game 4.
Calvin Pickard made the initial save with the glove before the puck deflected into the crossbar and out of harm’s way.
The puck got lost momentarily in the crease, and Sergei Bobrovsky then lost his stick. The puck bounced out, it eventually hit the post, and Bobrovsky ultimately sat down on the puck with 18:19 left in the overtime frame.
Wow.
Just like Games 1 and 2, the TNT analysts all made predictions on who would score the game-winner to take Game 4.
None of the analysts have been correct in either of their predictions. Leon Draisaitl scored the Game 1 OT-winner, and Brad Marchand scored in double-overtime in Game 2.
Wayne Gretzky didn’t have a pick. Paul Bissonnette said Edmonton’s Connor Brown. Anson Carter said Seth Jones for Florida, and Connor McDavid for Edmonton. Henrik Lundqvist said Matthew Tkachuk for Florida, looking for the hat trick.
With Florida and Edmonton going to overtime or the third time in the Stanley Cup Finals, this is the first time since 2014 that at least three games have gone past regulation.
The last time it happened, it was the Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers in 2014. Game 1 went to overtime, with the Kings winning; and Game 2 went to double-overtime, with the Kings winning again.
Game 5 went to double-overtime, also, and the Kings won the series, 4-1.
This is the first time since 2013 that three of the first four games have gone to overtitme.
In the other two OT games this year, Edmonton won Game 1 and Florida won Game 2.
Just when the Panthers looked down and out, an extra-man goal from Sam Reinhart forces overtime. This is the third time this series a game will need extra time to determine a victor.
Florida wants a commanding lead. Edmonton wants to tie the series up.
Sam Reinhart is the magic man. From an awkward angle and a bouncing puck, Sam Reinhart sent a snap shot in from the side that hit the back of the net with 19.5 seconds left in regulation.
This one is tied, 4-4, with Reinhart’s sixth goal in the playoffs.
A miscue from the Panthers near center ice, and Aleksander Barkov iced the puck. That forces the faceoff to go back in their own zone with 1:01 left in regulation. Sergei Bobrovsky back in net.
Florida used its lone timeout of the game with 1:21 left in the third period. A shot was deflected up into the netting, causing a stoppage in play, and keeping the faceoff in the Oilers’ defensive zone.
Sergei Bobrovsky is still on the bench for the extra skater.
After the Edmonton Oilers iced the puck, putting the faceoff in the Oilers’ zone, Sergei Bobrovsky headed to the bench in favor of the extra skater.
2:26 left in regulation as Florida tries to tie the game up.
Announcers on the TNT broadcast just noted that teams that led by three or more goals in a Stanley Cup Final game, in all-time history, have gone on to win the game. Teams are 37-0, so far, in those situations.
Could the Panthers add a 1 to the loss column in that situation?
Only six teams in NHL history have overcome a three-goal deficit, and then go on to win, a Stanley Cup Final game. Edmonton could be the seventh.
Florida couldn’t get out of its own defensive zone, and the Edmonton Oilers made the Panthers play.
The puck was behind the net, pinned at the back of the net, then it was turned over by the Panthers. A pass to Jake Walman at the circle from Kasperi Kapanen hit the short side on a slap shot by Sergei Bobrovsky.
Yes, it’s the same Oiler who was fined $5,000 for squirting water bottles across the benches in Game 3.
Oilers lead, 4-3, with 6:24 left in the third period.
A complete turnaround here.
Connor McDavid sent a shot in on goal that was blocked by Corey Perry, who then picked up the puck and tried for a turnaround shot in close. But it was a nice pad save by Sergei Bobrovsky to keep t his game knotted at 3-3.
As Leon Draisaitl tried to get up into the offensive zone, he got tangled up with Sam Bennett. Bennett was then called for tripping with 12:26 left in regulation.
Edmonton has already scored once on the power play.
The Oilers haven’t recorded a single shot on net during the early stages of the third period. Florida’s had a few, but there have been some incredible saves from Calvin Pickard, who came in to start the second period and provide a spark for the Oilers.
This one is still tied.
This game remains tied at the end of the power play. Calvin Pickard made just one save during the remaining 1:29 of the power play for the Panthers.
An intense period of hockey surely to come.
What a difference a period makes. Just like that, the Edmonton Oilers clawed back and scored three unanswered goals to tie the game up, seemingly taking all the momentum from the game.
Florida recorded 10 shots in the period, but couldn’t find the back of the net. Edmonton’s Calvin Pickard appears to have created the spark that the Oilers needed in that frame to get back into the game.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Vasily Podkilzin and Darnell Nurse all scored in the period for the Oilers.
Florida will have 1:29 of power-play time to start the third period.
Just when the Oilers had a ton of momentum, Florida will look to take advantage now. Leon Draisaitl elbowed Gustav Forsling up high as both players tried to chase after the puck.
Florida goes on the power play with 31.7 seconds left in the period.
Matthew Tkachuk was absolutely stonewalled on a wide-open net with Calvin Pickard way out of position. Mattias Ekholm made an incredible blocked that to keep the game tied with 1:11 left in the period.
Officials quickly met afterward after Carter Verhaeghe hit Evan Bouchard just before that happened, with Bouchard being slammed into the glass. No call was made during or after the hit.
Two of the most famous people in the arena watched the second period together.
Photographers caught Taylor Swift and Wayne Gretzky, along with Travis Kelce, watching the second period from a private suite.
One of the world’s most famous singers plus an NHL legend? Yes, please.
With a loose puck right in the slot, Vasily Podkolzin got a back-handed shot past Sergei Bobrovsky after a rebound off Sergei Bobrovsky popped out.
4:05 left in the second period, and this one is tied.
If it’s even more cruel for Panthers fans, the arena just played “Shake It Off” with Taylor Swift in attendance.o
Edmonton didn’t score during the man-advantage, but the Oilers are buzzing. A lot of shots there, including an incredible move by Connor McDavid followed by an even better save from Sergei Bobrovsky.
Aleksander Barkov flipped a puck out of the arena without any deflection from the defensive zone, resulting in a power play for Edmonton. 7:03 left in the period.
On an awkward angle, Darnell Nurse picked the corner over Sergei Bobrovsky who was already down in the butterfly position. Mattias Ekholm with a nice pass for the assist.
7:13 left in the second period. Florida still leads, 3-2.
This penalty came without any damage. The Oilers got a few shots off against Sergei Bobrovsky, but nothing got passed the netminder.
Florida stays up, 3-1.
Florida’s right back on the penalty kill with 13:31 left in the second period. Dmitry Kulikov was called for holding the stick of Vasily Podkolzin, which will put the Oilers on the man-advantage.
Three of the game’s four goals have been scored on the power play, so far.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has stopped the bleeding. After a great pass from Leon Draisaitl down low across the ice, Nugent-Hopkins got a screened shot off up high over Sergei Bobrovsky just 29 seconds after the man-advantage began.
Sam Bennett was called for slashing against Evan Bouchard with 16:46 left in the second period, putting the Panthers on the penalty kill for the first time tonight.
In case you’ve missed it throughout the series, TNT analyst and NHL legend Wayne Gretzky was asking what “Pink Pony Club” is. Well, it’s obviously the viral song by Chappell Roan. But, the Oilers have also used it as the win celebration song while at home.
Gretzky has been picked at by other analysts about not knowing the song. But what about Taylor Swift, who’s at Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final?
“I know (Taylor Swift),” Gretzky said.
Just before the Anton Lundell call, it looks like Carter Verhaeghe got away with one. After Verhaeghe skated in and hit Jeff Skinner, Verhaeghe’s stick followed through and hit Skinner’s face before the pass.
That, hypothetically, would’ve stopped the play before the goal. But no call was made. Florida got away with one, there.
Well, that was quick. Edmonton’s already made a goalie change, trailing 3-0. The Oilers pulled Stuart Skinner in favor of Calvin Pickard, just like in Game 3. Except this time, it came a little earlier.
The Oilers need a lot more than just a goalie change, at this point. Skinner finished with 14 saves on 17 shots in 20 minutes.
You couldn’t ask for more if you’re the Florida Panthers.
A 3-0 lead after 20 minutes, looking to take a commanding lead in the Stanley Cup Final, is a good start to Game 4, no doubt. Matthew Tkachuk scores twice on the power play, then Anton Lundell put even more pressure on the Oilers with a late goal.
Edmonton’s had no response in this one. With three penalties and just seven shots on goal (compared to Florida’s 17), the Oilers just look flat and frustrated.
Sergei Bobrovsky looks solid to start, as well.
Florida has scored the last 12 of 14 goals in the Stanley Cup Final.
What a start for the Florida Panthers, looking to take a commanding lead in this series. The Panthers dumped the puck down the ice, Carter Verhaeghe laid a hit to steal the puck, and got a pass up into the slot right to Anton Lundell.
Lundell, wide open, hit the back of the net to put the Panthers up 3-0 at 19:18 of the first period.
Matthew Tkachuk is making up for no goals earlier in the series. Another brilliant goal on a rebound off the pads of Stuart Skinner, hitting the back of the net at 16:56. Sam Reinhart with the initial shot and primary assist.
2-0 Panthers.
Jaromir Jagr is also in attendance for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final. But his appearance might be a little overshadowed by Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.
Jagr played for Florida from 2014-2017.
Another high-sticking penalty for the Edmonton Oilers. This time it’s Mattias Ekholm, who hit the face of Brad Marchand with the paddle of his stick. No blood, so just a two-minute minor penalty.
That’s three unanswered penalties for the Oilers with 4:42 left in the first period.
Florida had a few chances on the remainder of the power play, but Stuart Skinner bounced back at the end of the man-advantage. Back to even strength.
Matthew Tkachuk, immediately after the faceoff, released a strong snap shot from the circle that got by the short side of Stuart Skinner through a screen.
8:20 left in the first period, Florida goes up, 1-0. It’s Tkachuk’s first goal of the Stanley Cup Final series.
Panthers stay on the power play, but Evander Kane is out of the box.
Now it’s Darnell Nurse headed to the penalty box after he was called for tripping against Aleksander Barkov. Looks like Nurse’s leg swung out a bit to take Barkov out.
Panthers are on a 5-on-3 power play for 1:02 with 8:24 left in the first period.
Looks like Travis Kelce is supporting the Florida Panthers while he stays in Boca Raton during the NFL offseason. To go with the full-red outfit, he’s wearing a hat that says “Palm Tree Crew,” referring to the Florida Panthers.
Evander Kane had a handful of penalties in Game 3, including a 10-minute misconduct. He’ll start to wear down the path to the penalty box in this one, as well, after a high-sticking call against AJ Greer with 9:22 left in the first period.
The Panthers are headed to the power play.
Florida’s defense has been staunch early, allowing just two shots on net through 10 minutes. Only one of them was truly dangerous in the opening minute from Connor McDavid.
Florida’s been on the offensive, however, with 10 shots. Stuart Skinner’s been a tough wall to knock down early in this one.
Sportsnet posted a video of Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift exiting a room and likely headed to the arena. Neither had a jersey on, but Kelce was in an all-red outfit, maybe pledging some support for the Panthers.
Remember when Stuart Skinner was pulled in Game 3 after allowing five goals?
Neither does he.
He’s up to five saves in the opening three minutes of the game, including an incredible cross-crease save that absolutely robbed Sam Bennett from, what looked like, an wide-open chance.
Jason Taylor got Florida Panthers fans going by banging the drum, which has become a pregame tradition for Panthers fans while in Sunrise.
Carter Verhaeghe – Aleksander Barkov – Sam Reinhart
Gustav Forsling – Aaron Ekblad
Sergei Bobrovsky
It’s been confirmed by multiple reporters that Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce are in Sunrise for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final.
Swift has been seen at hockey games a good amount over the years. Edmonton’s Jeff Skinner has a viral photo of himself with Swift while she’s holding his jersey from when Skinner was with the Carolina Hurricanes.
Skinner is in the lineup for the first time in the Stanley Cup Finals tonight. A good luck charm?
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right? The Panthers have the same line combinations for Game 4 tonight.
Forwards
Carter Verhaeghe – Aleksander Barkov – Sam Reinhart
Evan Rodrigues – Sam Bennett – Matthew Tkachuk
Eetu Luostarinen – Anton Lundell – Brad Marchand
AJ Greer – Tomas Nosek – Jonah Gadjovich
Defense
Gustav Forsling – Aaron Ekblad
Niko Mikkola – Seth Jones
Nate Schmidt – Dmitry Kulikov
Goalies
Sergei Bobrovsky
Vitek Vanacek
Stuart Skinner, after being chased out of the crease in Game 3’s dominant win for Florida, has been announced as the Oilers’ starter in Game 4.
Skinner has been impressive in Game 4’s during his professional career, with a 6-0 all-time record, allowing just 1.26 goals on average with a .955 save percentage. He’s also posted two shutouts in Game 4’s.
Game 1: Edmonton 4, Florida 3 (OT) [Edmonton leads series, 1-0]
Game 2: Florida 5, Edmonton 4 (2OT) [series tied, 1-1]
Game 3: Florida 6, Edmonton 1 [Florida leads series, 2-1]
Game 4: June 12 in Sunrise, 8 p.m. ET
Game 5: June 14 in Edmonton, 8 p.m. ET
*Game 6: June 17 in Sunrise, 8 p.m. ET
*Game 7: June 20 in Edmonton, 8 p.m. ET
*if necessary
Where: Amerant Bank Stadium; Sunrise, Florida
Time: 8 p.m.
TV: TNT/truTV.
Stream: HBO Max and Sling TV
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