Leon Draisaitl “Opens/Closes,”— Oilers (4-3) In O.T.— Lead Florida (Panthers) (1-0)

Leon Draisaitl scored in overtime, (he also “opened”), as the Edmonton Oilers, who trailed (3-1) at one point, won (4-3) in the NHL final round opening game vs the defending champion Florida Panthers, the team that 7’d “them in last year’s final.

The game 1 winner is (9-1) in previous Oilers or Panthers final round series, one contested between the teams last year.

Viktor Arvidsson and Mattias Ekholm had the goals that enabled Edmonton to tie the tilt before Draisaitl took a pass from Connor McDavid (assists on the tying and winning goals) to win the game in the last minute of the first overtime period.

Sam Bennett, who leads in 2025 ‘offs goal scoring, with 12 scored twice for “Fla,” while Brad Marchand, a key trade deadline acquisition from Boston (Bruins) had the other Panthers’ tally.

Edmonton lost game 1 at home and the final round series in 4 straight games, giving the New York Islanders a 4th straight title in ’83.

In both ’87 and ’88 the Oilers won the final round opener and the title.

Leon Draisaitl, pictured above.