June 12, 2025, might go down in Stanley Cup lore as the night the Edmonton Oilers did what the Toronto Maple Leafs could not do. They rewrote what’s possible in playoff hockey. Down 3–0 after one period in hostile territory, they clawed back, tied it late, and stunned the Florida Panthers in overtime with a 5–4 win. It was the first time in Cup Final history that a team had bounced back from a 3–0 first-period deficit to win. Thirty-seven teams had tried. None had succeeded — until the Oilers.

It was gutsy, chaotic, maybe even more than a little lucky. But more than anything, it was resilient. And that word — resilience — now defines these Oilers. Certainly, it was on the Oilers’ tongues as they spoke postgame about their win. It’s not just about one game. They’ve clawed back in every series this postseason. A year ago, they nearly completed a 3–0 series comeback. This group has a chance against a playoff-hardened Panthers team because it doesn’t go away quietly.

Now, contrast that with how many have talked about the Maple Leafs.

Why the Maple Leafs’ Game 7 Loss Deserves More Respect

A few weeks ago, Toronto pushed these very same Panthers to the brink — a full seven games — and gave them arguably their toughest postseason test. Yet instead of being lauded, the Maple Leafs were met with eulogies. “Blow it up.” “Tear it down.” “It’s hopeless.” The usual chorus from Maple Leafs fans and several hockey pundits as well.

But what if we’ve got that wrong?

Florida has since steamrolled the Carolina Hurricanes and, until last night, held a two-to-one game lead in the Stanley Cup Final. And yet, of all their opponents, Toronto—flawed, battered, and injured—gave them the greatest scare. That tells us something—maybe more than we admitted in the moment.

Reframing What Counts as NHL Playoff Success

Watching Edmonton’s comeback should force a shift in perspective. It showed us that playoff narratives hinge on razor-thin moments. A bad bounce here (Leon Draisaitl’s game-winner), a heroic save there (Calvin Pickard’s overtime glove save) — and suddenly, a team’s destiny flips. The Oilers are getting praised for their fight. And the truth is that they did one thing the Maple Leafs could not do – come back from behind.

Still, the Maple Leafs had plenty of grit and fight, too. Toronto’s season ended in Round 2. But in hindsight, taking this Florida team to Game 7 was no small feat. It might be the most underappreciated accomplishment of the playoffs.

The Oilers proved that comebacks are possible, not just in games, but in how teams are perceived. The Maple Leafs might not be as broken as we thought. Maybe what they need isn’t a teardown. Perhaps they need the same thing the Oilers have: belief, timing, and another shot.

Sadly, it’s likely too late for Maple Leafs fans to believe. Perhaps that’s what makes Oilers fans a bit different.

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