SUNRISE, FL – With the Stanley Cup Final tied 2-2 and the series shifting back to Edmonton, Leon Draisaitl has once again proven why he’s one of the most clutch performers in modern hockey history.
The Oilers superstar scored at 11:18 of overtime Thursday night to secure a thrilling 5-4 comeback win over the Florida Panthers in Game 4 at Amerant Bank Arena. It was Draisaitl’s fourth overtime goal of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs—setting a new NHL record for most OT winners in a single postseason.
Draisaitl surpassed legends like Maurice “Rocket” Richard, Mel Hill, Corey Perry, and Matthew Tkachuk, each of whom previously shared the record with three OT goals. With the win, the Oilers have drawn even in the best-of-seven series, setting up a pivotal Game 5 in Edmonton on Saturday.
“He’s one of the best in the world for a reason,” said defenseman Darnell Nurse. “He backs up his words with action. That’s what true leaders do—and he’s doing it on the biggest stage.”
Edmonton’s Game 4 victory didn’t come easy. The Oilers were down 3-0 after the first period, struggling to recover from a lopsided Game 3 loss. But led by Draisaitl and captain Connor McDavid, who are now tied for the NHL playoff scoring lead with 32 points each, the Oilers battled back.
Draisaitl notched two assists in the second period to help even the score 3-3. After trading goals in the third, Florida tied the game with just 20 seconds left, forcing overtime. But Draisaitl delivered the final blow—controlling the puck with one hand, shrugging off a defender, and firing a shot that deflected off Florida defenseman Niko Mikkola and slipped through Sergei Bobrovsky’s pads.
It wasn’t the prettiest goal, but it was undoubtedly the most important.
“Our group never quits,” Draisaitl said. “We believe—even when we’re down—that if we keep pushing, we’ll find a way to win. And that’s exactly what we did.”
Head coach Kris Knoblauch praised Draisaitl’s ability to rise in crucial moments. “Leon has elevated his game when it matters most,” he said. “You can’t teach that. He’s shown up time and again, and tonight was no exception.”
With momentum now firmly in their favor and Rogers Place preparing for an electric Game 5 atmosphere, the Oilers are back in the fight—and Draisaitl is leading the charge.