With the Stanley Cup Final in danger of slipping away, Edmonton Oilers veteran Corey Perry stepped up to address his teammates during the first intermission.
His words made a big impact and helped spark the team's three-goal second-period comeback in Thursday night's Game 4 overtime victory over the Florida Panthers, Leon Draisaitl told reporters postgame.
"We wanted to come out strong tonight, but they put us on our heels early," Draisaitl said. "We were kinda lollygagging around a little bit. Certainly not the time to lollygag around, right? Especially after getting spanked in Game 3.
"Corey spoke up. When he speaks up, you listen, and you do what he says. We did a great job of grabbing it, grabbing some momentum and keeping it."
The Oilers trailed 3-0 after the first period and were outshot 17-7 through 20 minutes. Edmonton battled back in the second with three goals to tie the game, and ultimately won 5-4 in overtime.
"I'm not gonna share exactly what he said right now, but the message is that he's been in these moments. He's not a guy that speaks up or yells at guys all the time, that's not his character," Draisaitl said. "So, you know when a guy like that, with that many games, that much experience - he's won everything there is to win, he knows how to win - when he speaks up, you listen. It grabs your attention. He's a heck of a leader."
Perry has turned back the clock during the playoffs. The 40-year-old has nine goals and 13 points in 20 games and is tied for third in playoff goals. It's the second-most goals he's scored in a postseason in his career.
Perry won the Stanley Cup in his second season with the Anaheim Ducks back in 2007. He's since gone to five more Cup Finals from 2020-22, and 2024-25, and is looking for an elusive second Stanley Cup.
The Oilers are the first road team to overcome a 3-0 deficit and win a game in the championship round since the Montreal Canadiens won Game 5 of the 1919 Stanley Cup Final against the Seattle Metropolitans, according to Sportsnet Stats.
Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final goes Saturday night in Edmonton.
