Edmonton, Alberta (AP) Leon Draisaitl scored on a power game, Stuart Skinner made 29 stops and the Edmonton Oilers has erased a multigoal deficit to beat the reigning champion Florida panthers 4-3 in match 1 of their final revenge of the Stanley Cup on Wednesday evening.
After Tomas Nosek’s penalty for putting the puck on the glass, the goal of Draisaitl 19:29 in OT sent fans to the house in a frenzy and made sure that the Oilers would not start this series as they did a year ago, when they fell behind three games.
“It is invaluable,” said the captain of the Oilers, Connor McDavid, who established the goals tied and to win. “There are so many good things: the clutch, the playing. You call it, he does.”
For a while, it has appeared that the Oilers will also lose match 1 this year. The goal of Draisaitl 66 seconds was later followed in the first period by Sam Bennett deviating a shot in front of Skinner after falling into him.
Edmonton coach Kris Knoblauch undoubtedly contested for the interference of the goalkeeper, with the NHL situation room judging that his own player, Jake Walman, Troubuché Bennett in Skinner. The resulting penalty opened the way to Brad Marchand in Florida to score the goal of the advance on a power game.
Bennett marked his second at night at the start of the second period to mount the 3-1 panthers. They entered 31-0 in the last three playoffs since coach Paul Maurice took over during the head of the first or second intermission.
“I mean, they pushed,” said Marchand. “They are obviously a very good team and do not take them much to score. So, not surprising, the push they have done. It’s an excellent team. We just have to continue.”
The fourth liner, Viktor Arvidsson, brought the crowd back to life at the start of the second, and his Swedish compatriot Mattias Ekholm – playing in his second match with an absence of prolonged injury – linked it with 13:27 to play in regulation of a perfect McDavid pass.
At the other end, Skinner made a handful of backups which were essential to prevent the panthers from extending their advance or returning in advance at the end of the third. The Florida counterpart, Sergei Bobrovsky, did the same, between the derising songs of “Ser-Gei! Ser-Gei! ” This has followed the objectives he authorized.
Skinner was welcomed with more friendly songs from “Stuuuuu” after stops, including one in the first minute of overtime on a quality of quality rating.
“He was great again,” said McDavid. “He gave us a chance.”
Bobrovsky Stone-Cold stole Trent Frederic nine minutes from the OT, but finally fell in love with Draisaitl’s third goal in overtime of these qualifying series, equaling a record of qualifying series.
“It’s a special feeling,” said Draisaitl. “It’s great at the moment, but we have to look to the future and prepare for match 2.”
Match 2 is Friday evening in Edmonton before the series spent Florida for matches 3 and 4.
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