NHL: Stanley Cup Final-Florida Panthers at Edmonton Oilers - Source: Imagn — Oilers’ Rogers Place erupts with ‘We want the Cup’ chants during Game 1 of Stanley Cup Final [WATCH] - Source: Imagn

Oilers’ Rogers Place erupts with ‘We want the Cup’ chants during Game 1 of Stanley Cup Final [WATCH]

Modified Jun 05, 2025 10:06 GMT

Rogers Place, home of the Edmonton Oilers, erupted during the pre-game ceremony ahead of Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers.

The roaring home crowd exploded with the chant, “We want the Cup” during the introductions of the starting lineups.

Take a look at the raucous crowd:

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The 2025 Stanley Cup Final opened in Edmonton as the Oilers were the higher seed in the playoffs.

It’s also worth pointing out that the Oilers’ faithful, and Canadian hockey fans in general, have suffered a long Stanley Cup drought. The Oilers last won the Stanley Cup in 1990, while a Canadian team hasn’t taken home the NHL’s championship trophy since the Montreal Canadiens did in 1993.

Edmonton came close last season, losing in seven games to the very same Florida Panthers who captured their franchise’s first Stanley Cup after falling short against the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023.

Both teams enter the series on a quest to end sensational seasons by hoisting the Cup. If last season’s series is any indication, NHL fans will be in for a treat this time around.

Edmonton Oilers take Game 1 of 2025 Stanley Cup Final

Leon Draisaitl ended Game 1 with a power play goal - Source: Imagn

The Edmonton Oilers notched a crucial win in overtime to get the early lead on the 2025 Stanley Cup Final.

Leon Draisaitl scored with less than 30 seconds to go in the extra frame. The goal was his second of the night as he also scored 66 seconds into the first period.

Here’s a look at the game-winner:

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The goal came on the power play after the Panthers’ Tomas Nosek got a delay of game call for shooting the puck over the glass.

The unfortunate penalty put Edmonton up with the man advantage. After missing a couple of chances, Connor McDavid found Leon Draisaitl who did not miss.

Draisaitl’s power play marker was his ninth of the postseason, lifting his team to the crucial Game 1 victory.

Connor McDavid ended the night with two assists in over 31 minutes of ice time.

Stuart Skinner, the Edmonton starting netminder, was sharp, stopping 29 of 32 shots for the win. Skinner faced all of eight shots in the third period and overtime combined. But he made key saves when he had to, especially at the beginning of overtime when the Panthers took the game to the home team.

Edmonton will now look to take a 2-0 series lead on Friday night. The Panthers, for their part, will be looking to tie the series before heading back home for Games 3 and 4.

About the author

Nestor is an NHL and MLB writer at Sportskeeda with over 10 years of experience. Growing up in Toronto, he became an avid Maple Leafs and Blue Jays fan, but also admires the New York Islanders and Los Angeles Dodgers for their dominance in the 80s. Holding an Economics and Education major, Nestor’s passion for writing and sporting events led him to take up reporting about the sport professionally.

Nestor credits the Leafs’ playoff runs in the early '90s as having a lasting impact on him. His favorite players are Doug Gilmour and Mike Bossy, as he feels they were tough, talented leaders, while Pat Burns is his favorite coach of all time for always preaching a fast-paced game.

Growing up in Canada, it was natural for Nestor to become interested in ice hockey and he played Minor Hockey as a teenager, which has given him a unique perspective on the sport. Nestor has mastered the art of how to best present facts and he also has a knack for knowing which sources can be trusted, and which can't for stories.

When he is not writing about Canada’s national passion, Nestor enjoys running and hiking.

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