Kathryn Tappen catches up with Edmonton Oilers forward Kasperi Kapanen after a two-assist night in their Game 1 overtime win.
The Stanley Cup Playoffs demand resilience, poise, and players willing to elevate when the moment demands it most. On a night when every shift mattered and every second felt like a battle, Kasperi Kapanen rose to the occasion. The Edmonton Oilers forward played a critical role in the team’s dramatic overtime win in Game 1, registering two key assists and helping propel his squad to an early lead in their second-round series. After the emotional rollercoaster that was a 4-3 OT victory, NBC Sports’ Kathryn Tappen caught up with Kapanen outside the Oilers locker room to reflect on the performance, the energy in the building, and what’s next for the team.
Drenched in sweat but grinning with the satisfaction of a job well done, Kapanen greeted Tappen with the calm composure of a veteran who knows better than to get too high or too low in the postseason. “It was loud, it was intense, and it was everything you want from playoff hockey,” he said, glancing back at the raucous Rogers Place crowd still buzzing from the win. “We knew it wouldn’t be easy, but this team doesn’t quit.”
The Oilers found themselves in a back-and-forth affair from the opening puck drop. Edmonton struck first, but the opposition responded in kind, setting the stage for an overtime thriller. Kapanen was instrumental in keeping the Oilers afloat, especially in transition. His first assist came midway through the second period when he intercepted a pass near the blue line, accelerated up the right wing, and found Ryan Nugent-Hopkins trailing the play. Nugent-Hopkins buried the puck into the top corner, tying the game at two and reigniting the home crowd.
“That play was all about speed and vision,” Kapanen explained to Tappen. “We’ve been working on reading those moments where you can turn defense into offense. I saw Nuge [Nugent-Hopkins] coming with pace and knew if I could just thread it through, he’d do the rest. It’s easy when you’re playing with guys like that.”
His second assist came on the game-winner, a moment that instantly etched itself into the highlight reels. In overtime, with both teams showing signs of fatigue, Kapanen won a critical board battle behind the net. Shielding the puck with his body, he kicked it free to Connor McDavid, who darted to the front of the net and slipped a backhand past the goalie for the walk-off goal. Kapanen didn’t celebrate right away—he watched to ensure the puck had crossed the line. Then, with confirmation, his arms shot up, and he was mobbed by teammates.
“Those are the moments you dream about,” Kapanen said. “Winning the puck battle, hearing the crowd roar, and seeing McDavid do what he does best—it’s just special. I’m just happy to contribute and help get us the win.”
Tappen noted how the Oilers have leaned on their depth throughout the season and asked Kapanen about his evolving role with the team. Acquired in a mid-season trade that raised some eyebrows, the Finnish forward has found a rhythm in Edmonton, especially in the playoffs where his responsible two-way game and experience have become vital.
“Obviously, I’ve bounced around a bit in my career,” Kapanen admitted, referencing previous stops in Toronto, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis. “But coming here felt different. The coaching staff has trusted me, and I’ve tried to repay that faith with consistent play. The playoffs are about trust—coaches trusting you, teammates trusting each other. That’s what we’ve built here.”
Tappen also asked about the atmosphere in Rogers Place and how it compares to other playoff environments he’s experienced.
“This place is unreal,” he said without hesitation. “It’s hard to describe unless you’re on the ice hearing it. Every hit, every shot, the fans are with you. That kind of energy lifts us. You can be dead tired, but one big cheer and you find that extra gear.”
As the Oilers look ahead to Game 2, the focus will inevitably shift to adjustments, maintaining momentum, and improving defensively. Still, Game 1 served as a reminder that players like Kapanen—who may not always dominate headlines—can be the difference in tightly contested playoff games. His two assists weren’t just numbers on a stat sheet; they were the result of smart positioning, high hockey IQ, and an unwavering commitment to his role.
“I’m not worried about goals or points,” Kapanen told Tappen in closing. “I just want to help us win. Whether it’s killing penalties, making plays, or grinding out shifts—whatever the team needs, I’m in.”
And with that, he turned and walked back toward the locker room, past a line of Oilers fans chanting his name and holding up signs bearing his number. In a postseason where every game can shift the narrative, Kapanen’s name is now etched into the story of Game 1. If the Oilers are to go on a deep run, they’ll need more nights like this from him—nights that don’t always grab headlines but win hockey games.
As Kathryn Tappen wrapped up the segment and the broadcast team shifted focus to Game 2, it was clear: Kasperi Kapanen isn’t just filling a spot in the lineup—he’s making his presence known when it matters most.
