One year after a hard-fought, seven-game series, the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers have again battled their way back to face off in the Stanley Cup Final. The Panthers aim to defend their championship after claiming victory in the previous encounter, while Connor McDavid and the Oilers are driven by the desire for revenge.
Both teams reached the Stanley Cup Final with relative ease this postseason. Florida demonstrated a dominant performance against the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final, outscoring their opponent 21-10 and wrapping up the series in just five games.
Florida began their playoff journey by convincingly defeating their rivals, the Tampa Bay Lightning, in the first round. However, they faced a significant challenge from the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round. The Leafs took an early 2-0 series lead and pushed the reigning champions to seven games before the Panthers secured a decisive Game 7 victory.
Remarkably, the Panthers are now the fourth team since 1980 to appear in the Stanley Cup Final in three consecutive seasons. They also have the opportunity to become only the third team since 2000 to achieve back-to-back Cup championships.
To accomplish this feat, the Panthers must overcome an Oilers team desperate to lift the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1990. Edmonton came within one win last year but were narrowly defeated by the Panthers in Game 7.
This postseason, Edmonton has been on a mission for another shot at the Cup. After trailing 2-0 in their opening-round series against the Kings, the Oilers have posted an impressive 12-2 record, powering through the Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars.
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have been outstanding, leading the NHL in playoff scoring with 26 and 25 points respectively. This dynamic duo is expected to carry the load for Edmonton in pursuit of the Cup, and their importance is magnified with Zach Hyman sidelined due to injury.
As this highly anticipated Stanley Cup Final rematch is about to begin, check out our expert predictions on which team is favored to emerge victorious.
Stanley Cup Final Predictions
Nivison: The Oilers and Panthers have arguably been the two most impressive teams in these Stanley Cup Playoffs, making it fitting that they are the last two remaining. As often happens in such matchups, the outcome will likely hinge on the effectiveness of Edmonton`s depth when their star players, McDavid and Draisaitl, are off the ice, as the Panthers hold a clear advantage in this area.
When McDavid and Draisaitl are performing at their peak, the Oilers are nearly impossible to defeat, a trend seen throughout the later rounds. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has elevated his game, and Evan Bouchard has excelled on the blue line. Crucially for Edmonton, Stuart Skinner has shown significant improvement in goal, boasting a .936 save percentage and saving 4.81 goals above average over his last six starts.
In contrast, Florida`s roster appears to have no significant weaknesses. The team benefits from key contributions across the board – from their stars to their role players and defensemen. Ten Panthers skaters have reached double-digit points this postseason, compared to just seven for the Oilers (one of whom is now injured for the season). While Edmonton has defended well, the Panthers present a unique challenge. Florida possesses four forward lines capable of applying relentless pressure, which will severely test the Oilers` defense. Florida`s collective team defense has been top-notch throughout the playoffs. The matchup between their defensive structure and the offensive power of McDavid and Draisaitl will be fascinating to watch.
This series promises to be another thrilling contest between these two clubs, but the result is likely to mirror last year`s outcome. The Panthers` superior depth and aggressive forecheck are expected to wear down the Oilers, leading Florida to consecutive Stanley Cup championships. Prediction — Panthers defeat Oilers 4-2
Bengel: Despite neither team entering the playoffs as a top seed, there`s little doubt that the Oilers and Panthers have been the most impressive teams in the 2025 field. This will be just the fifth Stanley Cup Final rematch in the NHL`s expansion era (since 1967), setting the stage for another intense battle.
The Oilers feature a highly top-heavy roster, driven by the dynamic offensive punch of McDavid and Draisaitl. When these two are at their best, Edmonton is incredibly dangerous offensively. However, questions about their depth persist, especially with their top-six forward group taking a major hit in the Western Conference Final. Forward Zach Hyman suffered an upper-body injury in Game 4 against the Dallas Stars and underwent season-ending surgery. His absence removes significant scoring talent from the top of the Oilers` lineup.
Conversely, the Panthers are one of the deepest teams assembled in recent years. Florida boasts a veteran core that plays an extremely aggressive forechecking game and possesses a very capable defense. The Panthers` formidable forward group includes multiple players with at least five goals this postseason, demonstrating their scoring depth. Their strategic additions have also paid dividends, bringing added experience and skill to the roster.
This should be another entertaining series, building on last season`s drama. Ultimately, however, the Panthers are expected to have too much depth for the Oilers to handle. Prediction — Panthers defeat Oilers 4-3
