Panthers fans belt national anthem ahead of Stanley Cup Final Game 4
A sold-out crowd at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise sang the national anthem in unison ahead of Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final.
- This marks the first time in Stanley Cup Final history a team has lost after leading 3-0.
SUNRISE — After staking a 3-0 lead in the first period, the Florida Panthers looked destined to push the Edmonton Oilers to the brink of elimination.
Instead, a four unanswered goals lifted Edmonton to a 5-4 overtime win in Game 4 to send the Stanley Cup Final back to Canada tied 2-2.
Matthew Tkachuk scored two early goals and was in prime position to be named player of the game — but most will instead argue that honor goes to Oilers backup netminder Calvin Pickard, who took over mid-game for the second straight contest and delivered a storybook performance.
Sam Reinhart scored the tying goal with just under 20 seconds left to play in regulation, forcing the third overtime game between the two heavyweights in the series, but Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl beat Bobby Bobrovsky to end it at 11:18 overtime.
Matthew Tkachuk scores twice in opening period
After a brutal, penalty-filled series to this point, the first 10 minutes of Game 4 went by without a power play.
That changed quickly when Florida’s A.J. Greer suffered a high-stick at the hands of Evander Kane, and was then doubled up when Darnell Nurse was called for a two-minute tripping penalty against Aleksander Barkov.
The Panthers, who have been deadly on the power play all series, wasted no time converting.
It took Matthew Tkachuk just four seconds to convert a snap shot past Stuart Skinner, giving the Panthers a 1-0 edge.
At 16:56, Tkachuk doubled his tally, converting a wrist shot to keep the Panthers perfect on the power play in the first period, leading Panthers fans to once again resume their taunts of Edmonton’s starting goaltender.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce watch Florida Panthers’ Game 4
“I need to forget, so take me to Florida,I’ve got some regrets, I’ll bury them in Florida”
Taylor Swift’s lyrics to her song “Florida!!!” just about encompass how the Oilers were likely feeling for much of Game 4, players and fans alike, as the Panthers wasted no time in building a 3-0 lead.
The pop star made a surprise appearance alongside boyfriend Travis Kelce for Game 4, and while neither wore fan gear of either team, Kelce was dressed nearly head to toe in red.
The pair were previously spotted dining at Harry’s Bar and Restaurant in West Palm Beach.
Stuart Skinner chased once again, but Calvin Pickard picks up slack
Calvin Pickard was once again called to the ice in relief of Edmonton starting goaltender Stuart Skinner, who allowed three goals on 17 shots faced in the first period.
It’s the second straight game in which Skinner was pulled in the third period as Florida pulled away in a 6-1 blowout win to take Game 3.
This time, though, the Oilers were able to muster a comeback, equaling Florida’s first-period dominance with a three-goal second period to tie the game.
Pickard played his role in soaking up Florida’s shot prowess, stopping a point-blank shot from Anton Lundell following a turnover that gave the winger on a one-on-one in front of net.
The 33 year-old netminder was a perfect 10-for-10 saves in the period, holding down the defensive side of the ice while the Oilers offense went to work.
Pickard also made seven saves in relief of Skinner in Game 3, allowing a power play goal.
Panthers first to lose Stanley Cup Final game after being up 3-0
Prior to Thursday night’s Game 4 between the Panthers and Oilers, no team had ever lost a Stanley Cup Final game after accumulating a 3-0 lead.
Teams were 37-0 in those situations, all-time.
Make that 37-1.
The Panthers will travel to Edmonton with momentum having turned against them.
2025 Stanley Cup Final schedule
Game 1: Edmonton 4, Florida 3 (OT) [Edmonton leads series, 1-0]
Game 2: Florida 5, Edmonton 4 (2OT) [Series tied, 1-1]
Game 3: Florida 6, Edmonton 1 [Florida leads series, 2-1]
Game 4: Edmonton 5, Florida 5 (OT) [Series tied, 1-1]
Game 5: June 14 in Edmonton, 8 p.m. ET
*Game 6: June 17 in Sunrise, 8 p.m. ET
*Game 7: June 20 in Edmonton, 8 p.m. ET
*if necessary
Where: Rogers Place arena
Time: 8 p.m., Saturday
TV: TNT/truTV
Stream: HBO Max and Sling TV
Alex Peterman covers sports for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at [email protected].
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