The matchup for the 2025 Stanley Cup Final is now confirmed. The Edmonton Oilers secured their spot by eliminating the Dallas Stars with a 6-3 victory in the Western Conference Final on Thursday. This win sets the stage for a highly anticipated rematch of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, where the Oilers will face the Florida Panthers, seeking redemption.
In the 2024 series, the Florida Panthers ultimately lifted the Stanley Cup for the first time in their franchise history, defeating the Oilers in a hard-fought seven-game series. Florida initially took a commanding 3-0 lead, outscoring Edmonton significantly in those opening contests (11-4). However, the Oilers mounted a strong comeback, forcing a decisive Game 7 before the Panthers finally clinched the championship.
The upcoming series between Edmonton and Florida marks a rare event in NHL history. It will be just the fifth time since the league`s expansion era began in 1967 that the same two teams have met in the Stanley Cup Final in back-to-back years. Let`s take a look back at the four previous instances of consecutive Stanley Cup Final rematches over the last six decades.
Canadiens vs. Blues (1968-69)
The Montreal Canadiens were a dominant force in the late 1960s and 1970s, winning an impressive 11 Stanley Cups across those two decades, including consecutive championships in 1968 and 1969. In 1968, Montreal swept the St. Louis Blues in four games, although surprisingly, every game was decided by just one goal. Despite being on the losing side, Blues goaltender Glenn Hall earned the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP for his stellar performance (2.75 GAA, .927 SV% in four games), becoming one of only six players to receive the award from a runner-up team.
The 1969 rematch also saw the Canadiens sweep the Blues in four games, but the series was much less competitive. Montreal outscored St. Louis 12-3, and the Blues failed to score more than one goal in any game. Montreal defenseman Serge Savard was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy, contributing four goals and six assists during that postseason run. This victory secured Montreal`s fourth Stanley Cup in five years.
Canadiens vs. Bruins (1977-78)
Montreal`s period of dominance continued in the late 1970s with another set of back-to-back Stanley Cup wins. In the 1977 Final, the Canadiens swept the Boston Bruins. Montreal started the series with a dominant seven-goal performance in Game 1 and scored 16 goals total over the four games, winning three of them by multiple goals. Legendary forward Guy Lafleur received the Conn Smythe Trophy after contributing two goals and seven assists in the 1977 Final series.
When the teams met again in 1978, the Bruins put up a stronger fight. Montreal won the first two games, but Boston bounced back forcefully in Games 3 and 4, scoring eight goals combined to tie the series. However, the Canadiens regrouped effectively, outscoring the Bruins 8-2 in the final two games to secure their second consecutive championship against Boston. Canadiens defenseman Larry Robinson was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner for his playoff performance, which included four goals and 17 assists overall, with two goals and four assists coming in the Stanley Cup Final.
Oilers vs. Islanders (1983-84)
The 1980s were largely defined by the New York Islanders and the Edmonton Oilers, who met in the Stanley Cup Final in consecutive years. Their rivalry culminated in the 1983 Final, where the Islanders swept the Oilers in four games. New York was offensively potent, outscoring Edmonton 17-6 across the series, scoring five or more goals in two games. Islanders goaltender Billy Smith earned the Conn Smythe Trophy, posting an impressive 13-3-0 record in the 1983 postseason and allowing only six goals in the Stanley Cup Final.
The 1984 rematch saw a complete shift in momentum. The Oilers asserted their dominance, defeating the Islanders in five games. After splitting the first two low-scoring games (Edmonton scoring just two total goals), the Oilers` offense exploded. They scored five or more goals in each of the final three games to clinch the series. Oilers superstar forward Mark Messier took home the Conn Smythe Trophy, finishing the playoffs with eight goals and 18 assists, including three goals and one assist in the Final series.
Penguins vs. Red Wings (2008-09)
The most recent consecutive Stanley Cup Final rematch occurred between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Detroit Red Wings in 2008 and 2009. In 2008, Detroit was arguably the league`s top team, having won the Presidents` Trophy with 115 points. The Red Wings started the series strongly, shutting out Pittsburgh 7-0 combined in the first two games. Although Pittsburgh managed to win a home game and force a Game 6 with a triple-overtime victory, Detroit proved too powerful, winning the series. Red Wings winger Henrik Zetterberg was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy after tallying 13 goals and 14 assists in the playoffs, with two goals and four assists coming in the Final.
The 2009 Stanley Cup Final was a memorable seven-game thriller. Despite the Red Wings again winning the first two games, the Penguins made crucial adjustments. Pittsburgh won four of the subsequent five games, including a tense 2-1 victory in Game 7 highlighted by Max Talbot`s two goals, securing their first Stanley Cup since 1992. Penguins winger Evgeni Malkin earned the Conn Smythe Trophy for his outstanding playoff performance, recording 14 goals and 22 assists, including two goals and six assists in the Stanley Cup Final.
