Check out our Stanley Cup final live blog from Game 1 between the Oilers and Panthers
Game 1 held at Rogers Place
It all comes down to this. The Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers clash in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final at Rogers Place in Edmonton. Below is all of our pre-game coverage of all the colour from downtown.
9:46 p.m. — Oilers win in OT
The Oilers needed almost an entire extra period, but they came from behind to win Game 1 against the Panthers 4-3.
Leon Draisaitl opened the scoring early in the first period, before sealing the game with his second in overtime.
Check out the post-game for the full recap.
6 p.m. — It's game on for the Oilers and Panthers
Well that is it from us at CBC Edmonton tonight. Thanks for following along and enjoy the game. Check back post-game for the full result.
5:50 p.m. — Gates open at Rogers Place
Gates are open and fans stream into Rogers Place about a half hour before puck drop. (Credit: Sam Brooks/CBC)
5:40 p.m. — Here comes Hunter
Edmonton Oilers mascot Hunter paraded around Ford Hall inside Rogers Place before Game 1 of the 2025 Stanley Cup final. (Credit: Sam Brooks/CBC)
5:35 p.m. — Never too young to enjoy the Arkells
Edmonton Oilers fans of all ages partied ahead of Game 1 of the 2025 Stanley Cup final between the Oilers and the Florida Panthers. Among them is Jacqueline Rowley, who danced with her three-month-old daughter Chloe during the Arkells pre-game performance. (Credit: Sam Brooks/CBC)
5:30 p.m. — Edmonton turns into a party zone
Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers drew hundreds to downtown Edmonton pre-game. (Credit: Sam Brooks/CBC)
5:25 p.m. — Fans flock in from around the world
Among the crowd of thousands of Oilers fans are the ones who flew in from outside Alberta.
CBC News spoke with fans from Vancouver, Toronto, the U.S and even as far as Germany and Australia.
Brandon Kraus is from Decatur, Illinois, and is a diehard Oilers fan. It's his second time visiting Edmonton to see the team play in the final. It's not just the team he loves, but also the city. Kraus has watched NHL games in major cities across the U.S but said Edmonton is his favourite city to visit. (Credit: Sarah Reid/CBC)
5:20 p.m. — Securing the Moss Pit
Beefed-up security measures at the Moss Pit, in Edmonton's Ice District, include the same type of security gates used inside Rogers Place. The new gates brought in this year use artificial intelligence technology. (Credit: Emily Williams/CBC)
5:10 p.m. — Fans get amped before puck-drop
Edmonton Oilers fans gathered in a fan park beside Rogers Place downtown to watch a rock concert before Game 1 of the 2025 Stanley Cup final. (Credit: Sam Brooks/CBC)
5 p.m. — How the Oilers playoff run helps newcomers find community
Within a week of landing in Edmonton, a group of young newcomers is getting introduced to the Oilers and Rogers Place. As CBC's Travis McEwan reports, some advocates say the playoff run creates a great opportunity to find community.
4:45 p.m. — Show your colours
Ally-Ann Ronanchuk (white jersey) applies fresh orange and blue face paint to her friend Emma Stuckless in the fan park while awaiting the pregame concert by Arkells. (Credit: Sam Brooks/CBC)
4:30 p.m. — Keeping the peace
Reporter Emily Williams captured this photo of Edmonton police officers on bicycles monitoring the line for the watch party. The officers disposed of some alcohol that was left on the street.
4:15 p.m. — Plain dedication
Keegan Gould, originally from Stony Plain, Alta., now calls Australia home. He used his vacation time to come home to Edmonton to cheer on the Oilers for the Stanley Cup final. (Credit: Sam Brooks/CBC)
4:00 p.m. — What is the best version of the Oilers jersey?
If you look into a crowd of Oilers fans, you're going to see a lot of jerseys. Over nearly five decades of hockey in Oil Country, the design has changed many times. So CBC's Sam Brooks went to find out which ones are favourites among fans.
3:50 p.m. — Supply and conquer
Racks of fresh Oilers jerseys are wheeled across Ford Hall en route to restock the team store. (Credit Sam Brooks/CBC)
3:45 p.m. — Waiting for the puck drop
Hundreds of fans wait in line for the watch parties at Ice District and the fan park some two and a half hours before puck drop. (Credit: Sam Brooks/CBC)
3:35 p.m. — The world is watching
The Edmonton Downtown Community Arena, on the north side of Rogers Place, is lined with tables, screens and cameras. At game time, this room will be packed with reporters for national and international media telling the story of the Stanley Cup final. (Credit: Sam Brooks/CBC)
3:25 p.m. — The other Skinner
While netminder Stuart Skinner tends to get more attention, another Skinner has been pitching in where needed in the playoffs: Jeff Skinner.
The veteran forward played 1,078 regular-season games before finally getting to play his first-ever NHL playoff game this spring. But after playing his first game in the opening round, he watched from the press box until he got his chance again in Game 5 of the Western Conference final where he scored his first playoff goal.
Skinner got his opportunity with Connor Brown and Zach Hyman both out. With Brown returning to the lineup, it's likely that Jeff Skinner will not be suiting up in Game 1. But anything can happen in the playoffs, and the 33-year-old is ready to play if given the chance.
3:20 p.m. — Superstitious Oilers fans do what it takes to win
Oilers fans aren't taking any chances: Game-day superstitions and rituals are all in play when Edmonton was looking to extend its winning streak against the Dallas Stars in the last round. We asked a few fans about their superstitions.
3:15 p.m. — Oilers' biggest advantage is depth, writer says
Sean Panganiban, an Edmonton Oilers fan and writer with Oilersnation, spoke to CBC on Wednesday. Panganiban noted that depth-scoring from players like Corey Perry, has really helped Edmonton.
"He's tied for the lead with the Oilers with seven goals. As much as a massive loss that someone like Zach Hyman is out of the lineup, I think Corey Perry is going to get the first shot in the Stanley Cup finals playing next to Connor McDavid."
3 p.m. — A look back to a very different Stanley Cup run
History columnist Craig Baird joined CBC Edmonton's afternoon current affair show, Radio Active, to talk about Edmonton's attempt to capture the Cup 115 years ago?
Take a listen.
2:45 p.m. — Can you name these Oilers legends?
We like to have a bit of fun with Oilers fans, so we headed down at the start of the Western Conference final against the Dallas Stars to test the knowledge of the next generation of hockey fans to see if they could name three Oilers superstars of the past.
2:35 p.m. — Perry producing
The oldest player in the Stanley Cup final is still making his mark on the scoreboard. Corey Perry, 40, is tied with Draisaitl with seven goals this postseason, the most on the team.
The veteran forward has played in an impressive 231 playoff games, and is set to play in his sixth Stanley Cup final.
Perry won the Cup with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007.
2:30 p.m. — Calm before the storm
Orange fan towels were placed on seats inside Rogers Place in preparation for Game 1. In just a few hours, this arena will be packed with fans. (Credit Sam Brooks/CBC)
2:25 p.m. — A friendly wager between Stanley Cup city mayors
Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi is betting big on the Oilers to win the Stanley Cup.
On Tuesday, Sohi accepted a new Stanley Cup wager with Mike Ryan, the mayor of Sunrise, Fla.
Sohi sported a bright red Florida Panthers jersey at a city council meeting after he lost a bet that the Oilers would win the Stanley Cup last year.
But this year, Ryan raised the stakes.
"This year, Mayor Sohi, what we'll do is we'll send you yet another Panthers Jersey," Mayor Ryan said in a video shared on social media on Tuesday.
"And when we win, we'll send you a proclamation for you to read in the city of Edmonton declaring Florida Panthers Day and City of Sunrise Day."
Mayor Sohi accepted the new bet and stated his confidence in the Oilers in a video posted online on the same day.
"The Oilers have the passion, the grit, and the talent to bring the Cup home to Canada where it rightfully belongs," Sohi said.
"Here's the rub, Mayor Ryan. When the Oilers take it, you'll be wearing orange and blue with pride."
2:20 p.m. — Kids getting into the Stanley Cup spirit
Kids from Pierceland, Sask., in the city on vacation, stop to touch and look at a nearly four-metre replica of the Stanley Cup trophy that is a permanent installation in Edmonton, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. The Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers are scheduled to play Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final in Edmonton on Wednesday. (Credit: Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)
2:15 p.m. — Brown is back
Scrappy forward Connor Brown returned to Oilers practice on Sunday and is ready to go for Game 1.
Brown had an undisclosed injury that caused him to miss Game 4 and Game 5 against Dallas after taking a hit from Stars rearguard Alexander Petrovic.
Brown has stepped up his production, putting up eight points (five goals, three assists) in 14 playoff games this year. In last year's run, he managed six points (two goals, four assists) in 19 postseason games.
2 p.m. — Rogers Place staff start stocking up
Staff at Rogers Place unpack boxes of merchandise to be ready for thousands of fans looking to take home a piece of the playoffs. (Credit: Sam Brooks/CBC)
1:45 p.m. — Who are the people behind Oilers-themed vehicles?
You know you've seen them: Classic cars to trucks with oil derricks and even a Zamboni. We caught up with some of the fans to fund out what drives them on the road to the Stanley Cup.
1:40 p.m. — This hockey writer says the Oilers are more confident than last year
Avry Lewis-McDougall, a digital writer for The Hockey News, joined Edmonton AM this morning and said the Oilers are more confident heading into the Stanley Cup final this year.
"This team isn't going in starstruck like, 'Oh wow, holy cow, we're in the cup final.' This is a team saying, 'You know what? Yeah, we've been there. We know what it takes to win. Now let's lock in and see how we can correct things this year against this exact same team.'"
Take a listen to the full interview below.
1:30 p.m. — Getting ready to rock
CBC's Sam Brooks spotted crews in the fan park assembling barriers as they get the stage ready for a pregame concert by Canadian rock band Arkells for the Festival at the Final event. The concert begins at 4 p.m. and admission is free.
1:15 p.m. — Get your tickets while you can
Oilers tickets for the Stanley Cup final may be hard to come by, but there are still opportunities to see the games in person here in Edmonton.
A limited number of tickets for Game 1 were released Tuesday, but fan-to-fan resale tickets will be available for all four possible Oilers home games for the finals. Expect to pay anywhere from $700 and up.
But if you miss your chance to get tickets now, there might still be a chance to get seats later on.
Fans also have the opportunity to get last-second tickets by signing up for alerts for extra tickets that could be released on a game-to-game basis.
1 p.m. — Oilers fans are arriving early
CBC's Sam Brooks is out in the field today covering Game 1 fan action. He came across Shane Osatchyk and daughter Rylie, seven, who arrived at noon to be first in line for the fan park.
12:55 p.m. — Game 1 flyby
Things will get pretty loud around Rogers Place tonight for the first game of the Stanley Cup final.
But it won't just be the fans making all the noise.
Two Royal Canadian CF-18 Hornet fighter jets will do a flyby over Rogers Place at the beginning of the game.
The jets from 410 Squadron from 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alta., will fly at least 500 feet (about 152 metres) over the arena at 6 p.m. tonight.
In a news release, the RCAF said its flybys are carefully planned and controlled for public safety and depend on weather and flying conditions.
12:45 p.m. — Meet another Oilers superfan
Edmonton Oilers superfan Warren Sillanpaa has turned his front yard into a shrine to the team in Edmonton. Here is pictured on May 30. The Edmonton Oilers will be taking on the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup playoffs. (Credit: Jason Franson/The Canadian Press)
12:40 p.m. — Get ready to party downtown
You can expect lots of action around Rogers Place today, with the Oilers facing off against the Florida Panthers for Game 1 of the 2025 Stanley Cup final in Edmonton.
But the hockey game won't be the only event in Edmonton's downtown Ice District.
The multiple Juno Award-winning rock band Arkells will also be headlining the Rogers Festival at the Final event before Game 1.
The special performance will be in the Play Alberta Fan Park next to Rogers Place at 4 p.m.
Entry for the festival starts at 3:30 p.m., and admission is free.
Gates to Rogers Place and Ice District Plaza open at 5 p.m. with capacity for thousands of fans, and the puck drops at 6 p.m.
12:30 p.m. — How retailers handle the stress of the NHL playoffs
Stock is flying off the shelves and stores are trying to keep up so we asked CBC's Tristan Mottershead to head out and meet a few sports stores in the city to find out how much work goes into keeping their shelves stocked.
12:20 p.m. — Road closures
With fans flooding into downtown's Ice District for the Oilers' home game, Edmonton police are advising that some roads in the area will be closed temporarily.
Police said 104th Avenue between 101st Street and 105th Street will be closed to vehicles at the end of all Oilers' home games in the Stanley Cup final.
The eastbound lanes of 105th Avenue from 102nd Street to 101st Street will also be temporarily closed at the end of the games.
Police warn that people driving downtown during the games can expect significant traffic delays.
12:15 p.m. — No place like home?
One difference in this series between the Panthers and Oilers is that, this time around, Edmonton has home-ice advantage.
Last year's final saw Florida pull out a 2-1 win in the seventh game in front of their home fans, but this year, Game 7, if necessary, would be in Edmonton.
The Oilers have been successful at Rogers Place this postseason, with six wins and just one loss. But they've been no slouch on the road, boasting a 6-3 record.
The Panthers, meanwhile, have won eight games on the road in the playoffs, and lost only two, and they've started every series as the visiting team. They have five straight road wins and haven't had any problem besting their opponents away from Amerant Bank Arena.
12:10 p.m. — Meet the Oilers superfan couple in Germany
Fans from around the world watched as the Oilers secured their spot in the Stanley Cup final last night. This morning, we reached a couple who were in Edmonton earlier in the playoff run, for the first round games against Los Angeles. Now, Svenja Hülter and her fiancé, Niclas Propper, are back in Dortmund, Germany.
11:50 a.m. — Oilers and Panthers: a high-stakes rematch
We're just hours away from puck drop for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers.
It's a rare Stanley Cup rematch, which hasn't happened since 2009. In 2008, the Detroit Red Wings defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins to win the Cup, with the Pens exacting revenge the following year. The Oilers are hoping for a similar scenario. They are also hoping to become the first Canadian team to win the Cup since 1993.
The Oilers' road to the final had them cruising past the Los Angeles Kings, Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars to earn their chance to compete for Lord Stanley's Cup. The Panthers bested the Tampa Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes to get their spot in the final.
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have been leading the way offensively for Edmonton, and are No.1 and No.2, respectively, in points in this postseason. While McDavid has produced 26 points, nobody has lit the lamp more in the playoffs than Panthers forward Sam Bennett, with 10 goals.
In goal, it'll be Sergei Bobrovsky vs. Stuart Skinner for the second year in a row. Bobrovsky has an even better save percentage this playoffs than he did last year, but Skinner has been spectacular after some early struggles that saw him benched in favour of Calvin Pickard.
While the two franchises are set for a rematch, there are some new faces in the mix who are making an impact. Jake Walman has helped solidify things for the Oilers' blue line, while depth forwards Trent Frederic, Vasily Podkolzin and Kasperi Kapanen have been chipping in offensively.
Florida, meanwhile, has made two big additions: Seth Jones and Brad Marchand. And both have made their mark on this postseason.
Reporting from Trevor Howlett, Cameron MacCuish, Sam Brooks, Emily Williams and Sarah Reid
