Everyone thought it was over. Honestly, the vibe around Rogers Place before puck drop was more "final goodbye" than "heroic comeback." The Florida Panthers were up 3-0 in the series. No team had come back from that in the Final since the 1942 Maple Leafs. Most people were just waiting for the handshake line and the inevitable coronation of Aleksander Barkov and Sergei Bobrovsky.
Then Oilers vs Panthers Game 4 happened.
It wasn't just a win. It was a 8-1 demolition that felt like a pressure cooker finally exploding. If you were looking for a tense, one-goal defensive struggle, you were in the wrong building. The Edmonton Oilers didn't just stay alive; they reminded the world why they have the best offensive player on the planet.
The Night Sergei Bobrovsky Looked Human
For three games, Bobrovsky was a brick wall. He was the heavy favorite for the Conn Smythe. He looked unbeatable. But in Game 4, that aura of invincibility vanished in about ten minutes.
It started with a shorthanded goal. Mattias Janmark finished off a 2-on-1 after a phenomenal pass from Connor Brown. That goal changed everything. Suddenly, the crowd wasn't just nervous; they were feral. Then Adam Henrique—a guy brought in specifically for moments like this—deflected a Janmark pass to make it 2-0.
By the time the second period rolled around, the rout was on. Dylan Holloway scored. Then Connor McDavid finally got his first goal of the series. When Darnell Nurse sniped one to make it 5-1, Paul Maurice had seen enough. He pulled Bobrovsky.
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Seeing "Bob" walk to the bench was the most significant moment of the series to that point. It was a signal. The Panthers were bleeding, and the Oilers knew it.
Connor McDavid and the Gretzky Record
You can't talk about Oilers vs Panthers Game 4 without mentioning 97. We’re watching history, basically.
McDavid didn't just lead his team; he started rewriting the record books. With his three assists in this game, he reached 32 assists in a single postseason. That broke Wayne Gretzky's record of 31, which had stood since 1988. Think about that for a second. We always say records are meant to be broken, but Gretzky records usually feel like they’re written in stone.
McDavid finished the night with four points. He was flying. Every time he touched the puck, the Panthers' defense looked like they were skating in sand. It’s one thing to be fast; it’s another to be fast while everyone else is panicked.
Why the Depth Finally Mattered
For weeks, the narrative was that Edmonton was a one-line team. "If you stop McDavid and Draisaitl, you stop the Oilers." Well, in Game 4, the "others" decided to show up in a massive way.
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- Dylan Holloway: Two goals and an assist. The kid was everywhere.
- Mattias Janmark: A goal and an assist, plus elite penalty killing.
- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins: Finally found the back of the net on the power play.
- Stuart Skinner: Let’s not forget him. He made 32 saves on 33 shots. He wasn't tested like Bobrovsky was, but he made the stops when it was still a game in the first period.
The Momentum Shift Nobody Saw Coming
Hockey is a game of "pucks in deep" and "playing the right way," but it’s also a game of pure, unadulterated emotion. Before this game, the Panthers looked like they were playing a different sport. They were heavier, faster, and more disciplined.
In Oilers vs Panthers Game 4, that flipped. Florida started taking uncharacteristic penalties. Matthew Tkachuk was frustrated. The Panthers' forecheck, which had been suffocating, suddenly had holes in it.
Is one game enough to change a series? Usually, no. But an 8-1 win isn't just a win; it’s a psychological scar. The Oilers proved they could beat Bobrovsky. Not just beat him—break him.
What This Game Taught Us About the 2024 Finals
The biggest takeaway here is that the Oilers' power play is never truly dead. It had been struggling, but once it got a look in the second period, it clicked. When Edmonton's special teams are rolling, they are basically impossible to outscore.
Also, Florida's depth isn't invincible. They pride themselves on being a four-line machine, but when the Oilers' top guys are playing at a 10/10 level, the gap in pure talent is noticeable.
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If you're a betting person, you're looking at how Florida responds in Game 5. They’re still in the driver's seat, but the car is definitely making a weird noise now.
Key Actionable Insights for Hockey Fans
To really understand the impact of this game, keep these points in mind for the rest of the series:
- Watch the Goalie Body Language: Bobrovsky was pulled for the first time in the playoffs. Watch how he plays the first five minutes of the next game. If he gives up an early one, the "Oilers in 7" talk will become deafening.
- The Power Play Percentage: Edmonton lives and dies by the man advantage. If they continue to draw penalties by using their speed (like McDavid did all night in Game 4), Florida is in serious trouble.
- Secondary Scoring is King: When Dylan Holloway and Mattias Janmark score, the Oilers win. Period. If the scoring dries up and returns to just being "The Connor and Leon Show," Florida will clinch.
- The "Home Ice" Myth: The Oilers fed off the Rogers Place crowd. Now the series shifts back to Florida. Watch if the Panthers can recapture that defensive structure they had in Games 1 and 2.
The Oilers vs Panthers Game 4 wasn't just a stay of execution; it was a statement. The Stanley Cup was in the building, tucked away in a crate, ready to be presented to the Panthers. The Oilers made sure it stayed in that crate for at least a few more days.
To keep up with the tactical shifts in this series, look closely at the neutral zone transition in the next matchup. The Oilers started using a "long flip" pass to bypass Florida's 1-2-2 trap in Game 4, which led to multiple odd-man rushes. If Florida doesn't adjust their gap control, McDavid will have another four-point night.
Check the official NHL stats for updated skater speeds and zone entry success rates to see if Edmonton's physical advantage from Game 4 carries over.