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Updated 33s ago
Game 1 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final has gone to overtime as the Oilers and Panthers are tied 3-3 in Edmonton.
The series is a rematch of last year's final, which Florida won in seven games.
Follow along as our reporters on the ground in Edmonton and our team of NHL experts across the continent have you covered with the latest insight and analysis.
The Panthers had two (!!) shots on goal in the third period. They already have five in overtime and we’re about four minutes in.
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OT 17:45 – Panthers 3, Oilers 3
Podkolzin and Janmark lead the Oilers' first real attack of overtime, which tells you that the Panthers have been controlling play since we began the period.
Earlier, Verhaeghe had a gilt-edged chance to win the game but couldn't poke the puck home from next to the crease.
OT 19:41 – Panthers 3, Oilers 3
An immediate chance for Reinhart right in front of net, but Skinner stands tall to make the save.
OT 20:00 – Panthers 3, Oilers 3
Here we go! Buckle up! Strap in!
We could be here for hours, or this could be over in a flash. Game 1 hangs in the balance, don't go anywhere!
The Oilers outshot the Panthers 14-2 in the third period to force overtime. Regardless of which team wins it in OT, it's hard to see how Edmonton a year ago would have kept its poise the way the Oilers did tonight to come back. That's the difference a year makes.
The last time a Stanley Cup Final game went to overtime was Game 3 of the 2023 series between Florida and Vegas. Carter Verhaeghe scored the OT winner that night for the Panthers, the only game they won in that series.
In addition to Verhaeghe, one other player involved tonight has previously scored an OT goal in the Cup Final: Corey Perry for the Stars against the Lightning in Game 5 of the 2020 series.
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The Panthers have four players in the lineup that have scored a playoff overtime goal:
The Oilers have eight:
After none of the seven games in the Stanley Cup Final between these two teams last year went to overtime, Game 1 tonight immediately bucks that trend.
This the first time since 2022 that Game 1 of the Final has gone to OT and 21st time overall.
In those previous 20 Game 1 overtimes, the road teams led with a 11-8-1 record. The lone tie was a 0-0 final score between the Bruins and the original Senators to open the 1927 Final, the first after the NHL took over sole control of the Stanley Cup competition.
This is the 98th overtime game in Stanley Cup Final history. Road teams surprisingly own a 51-43-3 advantage in the previous contests (.526).
End of regulation – Panthers 3, Oilers 3
The Oilers fail to do anything with the late Panthers icing despite one of the Florida players breaking their stick immediately after the faceoff.
We're getting some sudden death to decide this one!
P3 0:49 – Panthers 3, Oilers 3
The Panthers ice the puck with less than a minute left in regulation. Here's a chance for the Oilers to steal a late win.
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P3 2:15 – Panthers 3, Oilers 3
Podkolzin has a rare scoring opportunity, holding off a defenseman as he crashes the net. Bobrovsky stands tall to make the stop before Arvidsson is unable to do anything with the loose puck afterward.
P3 4:16 – Panthers 3, Oilers 3
The Oilers give the puck away deep in their defensive zone, but Barkov is prevented from capitalizing on the opportunity by a pair of fantastic blocks by Skinner.
If you’re watching the Cup Final on Sportsnet like I am, the constant infusion of Alberta rockers Nickelback isn’t a surprise. Sportsnet has gone back and forth between playing ‘If Today Was Your Last Day’ and ‘Burn It To The Ground’ at different points during their broadcast.
There’s some time left but we’re heading towards overtime in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. We haven’t experienced overtime in the Final since Game 3 of the 2023 series between Florida and Vegas. Carter Verhaeghe scored the OT winner that night for the Panthers, the only game they won in that series.
You have to go all the way back to 2006 for Edmonton’s last overtime Cup Final game, which came against the Hurricanes. Two words: Fernando Pisani.
P3 6:53 – Panthers 3, Oilers 3
Lundell hits the outside of post from basically the goal line, just an inch or two away from deflecting off Skinner's shoulder and into the goal.
We're nearing overtime in Game 1 now!
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P3 9:18 – Panthers 3, Oilers 3
McDavid walks in on goal from the side before his chip shot deflects off Bobrovsky's shoulder and nearly finds the back of the net. Instead, it lands inches from the post and is swept clear by Ekblad's glove.
Tonight's game is just the seventh Stanley Cup Final opener in the past 35 years in which both teams fell behind before tying the score.
The Oilers have battled back from a 3-1 deficit thanks to that goal from Mattias Ekholm. He had been in and out of the lineup since February due to injury before missing most of the playoffs. He returned in time for Game 5 of the Western Conference Final. Now, Ekholm has points in his two postseason games this spring.
