The Florida Panthers, reigning Stanley Cup champions, and the Edmonton Oilers are gearing up for their second straight showdown in the Stanley Cup Final. Sounds familiar? Not quite. While much of the core—players, coaches, and goalies—remains intact, both squads have evolved significantly, with the Panthers making some particularly bold moves. They shook things up at the trade deadline, adding All-Star forward Brad Marchand and defenseman Seth Jones to a roster already bolstered in the offseason. Meanwhile, the Oilers have reinforced their supporting cast and sharpened their defensive play. Panthers forward Sam Reinhart, who netted the series-winning goal last season, promises another fierce battle ahead.
This year’s Final kicks off Wednesday in Edmonton, Alberta, at 8 p.m. ET, airing on TNT and truTV—and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Last year’s series was a rollercoaster. Initially, the Panthers stormed out to a commanding 3-0 lead, just one win away from claiming their first-ever Stanley Cup. But the Oilers fought back with a vengeance, crushing Florida 8-1 in Game 4 and scoring five goals in both Games 5 and 6 to even the series. When it seemed momentum had shifted entirely, the Panthers regrouped and sealed the deal with a tight 2-1 victory in Game 7.
One major storyline: Can Connor McDavid finally snag his first Stanley Cup? Since being the first overall pick in 2015, McDavid has become the NHL’s brightest star—three MVPs, five scoring titles, seven All-Star nods, and a playoff goal-scoring record to boot. Yet the Stanley Cup has eluded him. His performance last year was remarkable, breaking Wayne Gretzky’s playoff assist record with 34 and tallying 42 points. McDavid’s dedication to the team shone as he declined the Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded to the playoff MVP from the losing side, to honor his teammates. That heartbreaking Game 7 loss has fueled both him and the Oilers, who currently lead in playoff points and assists, with McDavid already netting crucial goals this postseason.
The Panthers captain, Aleksander Barkov, is the league’s premier defensive forward, widely tipped for a third Selke Trophy. Alongside linemate Sam Reinhart, also a Selke candidate, their line is expected to shadow the Oilers’ stars McDavid and Leon Draisaitl—though Edmonton’s advantage of last line change in most games will complicate matchups. Barkov’s deft skills were on full display in the Panthers’ recent clinching game against the Carolina Hurricanes.
A wider narrative looms over the series: will Canada’s Stanley Cup drought finally end? No Canadian team has hoisted the Cup since the Montreal Canadiens in 1993. Despite eight trips to the Final since then, including this year, Canadian teams have fallen short. Edmonton’s rich history includes five Stanley Cup wins in the 1980s and early ‘90s, but the drought has been painfully long.
The Panthers also stand on the brink of a dynasty. Florida is fast becoming a hockey powerhouse, with the Tampa Bay Lightning making the Final three straight years (winning twice) and the Panthers now reaching three consecutive Finals themselves. Another championship would cement their status as a dominant force. They boast depth and star power—Marchand adds veteran punch on the third line—but keeping this core intact won’t be easy. Key players like Sam Bennett (leading with 10 goals), Marchand, Aaron Ekblad, and goalie Sergei Bobrovsky face impending free agency. Thankfully, a rising salary cap offers some financial wiggle room.
Don’t expect a simple replay of last year’s outcome. Rematches rarely end the same way. History offers examples: the Detroit Red Wings bested the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2008 only for the Penguins to claim victory in 2009, granting Sidney Crosby his first Cup. The Islanders swept the Oilers for a fourth straight title in 1983 and 1984, but Edmonton turned the tide starting in 1984, sparking their own dynasty.
Players outside the stars are also seizing moments. Jeff Skinner, rookie of the year in 2010-11, finally reached the playoffs this season after signing with the Oilers. Though initially a healthy scratch, an injury to Zach Hyman gave Skinner a second chance—and he scored in his return. Meanwhile, goalie Stuart Skinner has been pivotal, stepping in after a brief benching to deliver back-to-back shutouts and outplay top opponents in the conference final.
Coaching is another compelling subplot. Florida’s Paul Maurice and Edmonton’s Kris Knoblauch are both early in their tenures yet showing exceptional tactical acumen. Maurice reached the Final in each of his first three seasons with the Panthers, while Knoblauch made it in his first two years as head coach. Their ability to adapt mid-series—demonstrated by wild momentum swings last year—continues to shape this matchup.
Adding international flavor, many players from both teams represented their countries in recent Olympic qualifiers. Nine Panthers took part in the 4 Nations Face-Off, including Matthew Tkachuk (USA), Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand, and Sam Reinhart (Canada), and Aleksander Barkov (Finland). The Oilers sent three players, led by Canada’s McDavid. Leon Draisaitl is set to represent Germany in 2026, and several others could join the Olympic rosters.
With so many storylines converging—from star power and team evolution to historic droughts and coaching battles—this Stanley Cup Final rematch promises a thrilling, unpredictable showdown.
