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Oilers comeback vs. Panthers: How Edmonton erased three-goal deficit in Game 4 to tie Stanley Cup Final

Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final seemed like it was headed toward another blowout, but it turned into a classic as the Oilers completed a historic comeback to tie the series at two games apiece.

The Panthers took an early 3-0 lead, and after the way they dominated the Oilers in Game 3, seemed like a harbinger of another blowout. However, Edmonton made a goalie change after the first period that sparked the team, allowing for a three-goal comeback to give the Oilers a chance to win.

In the third period, however, it was the Panthers that had to dig deep, as they faced a deficit with time expiring, but Florida found an extra goal with 20 seconds remaining to force overtime. Undaunted, Edmonton fought back again, capping the night with a 5-4 overtime victory, their second OT win of the series.

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With the loss, the Panthers became the first team in NHL history to lose a game after leading by at least three goals after the first period.

Edmonton also became the first road team to come back from three goals down and win a Stanley Cup Final game since the Canadiens in 1919.

Here’s a breakdown of how the Oilers came back to tie the series.

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Oilers comeback vs. Panthers Game 4

The Oilers were down 3-0 after the first period, but with 40 minutes left in the game, there was still time to come back. Edmonton’s path to victory began with a crucial bench decision, as Kris Knoblauch benched Stuart Skinner in favor of Calvin Pickard after the first period.

From there, the Oilers began to chip away at the Panthers’ lead. First, it was Ryan Nugent-Hopkins who got Edmonton on the board with a power play goal less than four minutes into the second period.

Then, nine minutes later, defenseman Darnell Nurse made it a one-goal game with a slick goal from down low that beat Sergei Bobrovsky.

The comeback was made complete with five minutes left in the second period, as Vasily Podkolzin tied the game with a back-handed goal from right in front of the net.

The Panthers had a chance to re-take the lead soon after, as Matthew Tkachuk had the puck with what appeared to be a wide-open net, but Matthias Ekholm successfully blocked the puck and kept it out.

That kept the game 3-3 with one period left, giving each team a three-goal period. The third frame was much tighter, as the score remained tied for most of the period, but Jake Walman gave the Oilers their first lead of the game with a one-timer.

Edmonton was on track to take the game 4-3, but the Panthers made one last push, paving the way for Sam Reinhart to score a game-tying goal with 19.5 seconds left to force overtime.

In a back-and-forth overtime, both sides had chances and came inches away from ending the game. However, it was Leon Draisaitl who scored his NHL record fourth OT winner this postseason (and second of the series), this one with one hand, tying the series at two.

Calvin Pickard ended the game as a huge storyline, allowing just one goal on 24 shots after entering the game. With the win, the Oilers regain home-ice advantage heading back to Edmonton for Game 5.

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