It just gets to a point where we have to admit the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers are spoiling hockey fans all across the globe. For the third time in four games, this Stanley Cup Final needed overtime to decide the winner in Game 4 on Thursday night.
Leon Draisaitl scored at 11:18 of overtime for the Oilers in the dramatic 5-4 win, only after Edmonton erased a 3-0 deficit, took the lead late in the third period, then allowed the tying goal by Florida’s Sam Reinhart with 19.5 seconds remaining in regulation.
The best-of-7 series is tied 2-2, with Game 5 set for Saturday in Edmonton.
But before that, let’s back at the biggest winners and losers from an epic Game 4.
Winner — Leon Draisitl — Edmonton Oilers
Leon Draisaitl did it yet again with another clutch performance in Game 4, when the Oilers needed him most. His fourth overtime goal this spring set an NHL record for most overtime goals in a single playoff year. It was also his second OT winner of the series and 11th postseason goal this postseason. Earlier, in the second period, Draisaitl dished out two assists to help fuel Edmonton’s comeback from a 3-0 deficit, helping him to a massive three-point night.
Winner — Calvin Pickard — Edmonton Oilers
For the second straight game, Calvin Pickard was called into action to take over in goal for Stuart Skinner. Pickard allowed just one goal on 23 shots in Game 4, a 6-on-5 goal late in regulation, and stood tall the rest of the way. Pickard settled the Oilers down when he started the second period, and saved his best for last, flicking his glove up just in time to deflect a Sam Bennett shot in overtime off the crossbar, not long before Draisaitl’s game winner.
Winner — Sam Reinhart — Florida Panthers
Reinhart’s game-tying goal that forced overtime was a clutch, sharp-angle shot that kept Florida’s hopes alive and nearly rescued them from a massive blown opportunity. Almost, since the Panthers ended up losing in OT. It was Reinhart’s third point of the night, and another example of his ability to rise in high-pressure moments. He now has five points (two goals, three assists) in the past two games.
Loser — Stuart Skinner — Edmonton Oilers
The past two games have been rough for Skinner, who was pulled in back-to-back games of the Stanley Cup Final. After getting yanked 3:27 into the third period of a 6-1 loss in Game 3, Skinner was pulled after the first period in Game 4, allowing three goals on 17 shots. Skinner actually made a slew of big-time saves early in the first period when Edmonton was nearly run out of the building. But he couldn’t maintain that level, and helped sink his team into a three-goal hole in the opening 20 minutes.
Loser — Sergei Bobrovsky — Florida Panthers
After standing tall for most of the series, Bobrovsky looked off in Game 4. He allowed five goals on 35 shots, including the overtime winner that deflected off his own defenseman’s skate. While not all the goals were entirely on him, Bobrovsky was unable to stem the Oilers tide in that second period. He did, however, still make a string of outrageous saves, including robbing Connor McDavid with a lunging toe stop after the Oilers center split the Florida defense.
Winner — Matthew Tkachuk — Florida Panthers
Matthew Tkachuk was all over there ice in Game 4, bringing the intensity Florida need’s from one of its most important and inspirational players. Tkachuk scored two goals in the first period — his first two in the series — to help the Panthers build a 3-0 lead, then added an assist on Reinhart’s game-tying goal as time winded down in the third period.
Winner — Vasily Podkolzin — Edmonton Oilers
Vasily Podkolzin delivered in the biggest game of his young career. The 23-year-old forward scored to tie the game 3-3 late in the second period, when his backhand shot eluded Bobrovsky. Then Podkolzin recorded the primary assist on Draisaitl’s overtime game-winner, with a deft pass to his teammate. He also was credited with five hits in less than 12 minutes TOI in an all-around impactful performance in Game 4.
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