McDavid, Oilers Wow NHL Fans with G4 Win vs. Tkachuk, Panthers to Avoid Finals Sweep

Julia StumbaughJune 16, 2024

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

The Edmonton Oilers solved Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky just in time to save their season.

The Oilers chased Bobrovsky in the second period on their way to a 8-1 victory in Game 4 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals.

The final will now go back to Florida for Game 5. The Panthers still lead the series, 3-1.

B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIceDARNELL NURSE SCORES AND THE OILERS CHASE BOBROVSKY 😱 pic.twitter.com/3NxNxWzv5w

The Oilers’ dominant effort was led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, who had been largely held off the scoresheet through three prior games.

Draisaitl assisted on two goals, while McDavid scored and added three assists.

B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIceCONNOR MCDAVID HAS HIS FIRST STANLEY CUP FINAL GOAL 🔥🚨 pic.twitter.com/c4F55wWGiJ

McDavid now has 32 assists in 22 playoff games this summer, beating out Wayne Gretzky’s effort in 1988 for the most helpers in a single NHL postseason.

B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIceCONNOR MCDAVID HAS BROKEN THE RECORD FOR MOST ASSISTS IN A SINGLE POSTSEASON 🍎🚨 pic.twitter.com/MA6q8giUXf

Elliotte Friedman @FriedgeHNICMcDavid’s assist is his 32nd of the playoffs, breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record.

Didn’t think I’d ever see this one broken https://t.co/CnMjvEK7uK

Frank Seravalli @frank_seravalli#Oilers Connor McDavid set a new #NHL record tonight for most assists in a single playoff with 32.

If you wanted a Gretzky-like stat, consider this one: McDavid has as many assists these playoffs as 16 of the 18 postseason leaders in the salary cap era had total points.

2023…

Kyle Senra @SenraSaysConnor McDavid has 38 points in the 2024 #StanleyCupPlayoffs

That is tied for 5th most all-time in a single #NHL #Playoffs season

Only Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux have produced more points in a single #Playoff year

Jake @OilAcumenIt’s absolutely insane that McDavid broke that assist record and the playoffs aren’t even over yet. Even Mario only had 28

Nethraxis @nethraxisMcDavid breaking Gretzky records is ridiculous. What a great time to be a hockey fan #letsgooilers

Jirí @JiriBUFMcDavid is the best player I’ve ever seen in my lifetime. I’ve watched a lot of the stars from the early 2000’s to present in person. He’s the best https://t.co/zhnfQV9aZ5

Fans were also impressed with the team’s overall performance as Mattias Janmark, Zach Hyman and Dylan Holloway each joined the Oilers’ stars with multipoint nights.

Jason Gregor @JasonGregorEdmonton with seven different goal scorers and 15 players with points.
Skinner stops 32 of 33 shots.
McDavid sets new playoff record with 32 assists in one postseason.
Dominant 8-1 performance.
Now they have to have a repeat strong performance in Game 5.

x-Coldplay_Oilers @coldplay_oilersAnd they say the Oilers have no depth

ਜੋਵਨ @15xjdOilers depth players have been phenomenal today

The Oilers were forced to kill off a penalty early in the first period, but Janmark kept the home crowd in the game with a shorthanded goal to open scoring.

Halfway through the first period, Vladimir Tarasenko scored to cut the Edmonton lead in half and threaten a Panthers comeback.

The Oilers responded with five straight goals, including a second-period strike from Darnell Nurse that led the Panthers to pull Bobrovsky in favor of Anthony Stolarz.

Edmonton’s ability to finally solve Bobrovsky, against whom they had previously been held to just four goals in three games, led some fans to believe the Oilers could pull off a historic reverse sweep:

Sportsnet Stats @SNstatsOilers 8-1 win sets the record for the largest margin of victory by a NHL team facing elimination in the Stanley Cup Final.

Previous record: Maple Leafs 9-3 win over the Red Wings in Game 5 of the 1942 Stanley Cup Final.

What happened that year???

Chase @Chasewhite6_IF any team in today’s NHL could come back from 3-0 in a series, it’s this Oilers team. Offense is a weapon when they’re on.

Jackets Debrief @JacketsDebriefThe Oilers pushing this series to even 6 games seems unlikely but they did just chase Bob. Maybe they start believing and shake Florida’s confidence. https://t.co/ctZyEoXuyy

The definitive win after three games of deflating losses also led fans to compare the Stanley Cup Finals to the ongoing 2024 NBA Finals.

The Dallas Mavericks forced a fifth game against the Boston Celtics Friday with a similarly convincing victory in a must-win Game 4.

Pete Blackburn @PeteBlackburnpic.twitter.com/Z25ZVCJLJK

Ocarina @Seren3SoulMavs and oilers got handed the same script

Jake Marcus @JakeMar81Crazy but true: in spite of leading their series 3-1, boston and florida are both losing in the overall score

Dallas Mavericks: 408
Boston Celtics: 402

Edmonton Oilers: 12
Florida Panthers: 11

McDavid will look to drive his team to another victory as the Oilers hit the road for another must-win game this week.

The Panthers will meanwhile have the chance to win the Stanley Cup at home when the series returns to Sunrise on Tuesday.