Congratulations to the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers, as they defeated the Edmonton Oilers in six games tonight to wrap up the series. They finished the Oilers off in Sunrise, Florida to hoist the 2025 Stanley Cup! In the end, Aleksander Barkov, Aaron Ekblad, and Sergei Bobrovsky were the perfect kryptonite for Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Heck, even the goalies couldn’t decide who wanted the starter’s reigns in Oil Country. So, there it is, the Panthers are back-to-back Cup Champions, the first since, well their cross-state rival Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020 and 2021.
You’re still on the case Bobrovsky
#StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/npoSgBEGjv
— NHL (@NHL) June 18, 2025
The Panthers have Beat the Edmonton Oilers to Win the Stanley Cup
And when they posed for the coveted championship picture, led by Barkov telling them to hold two fingers up loud and proud, it felt powerful.
There was certainly one big storyline to start with tonight. Remarkably, Sam Reinhart achieved a historical feat. He was only the sixth-player ever with a four-goal game in the Stanley Cup Final series. What’s more, is that he was only the second-ever to do it in a series clincher. It was something to be in awe over, and as the empty-netters found their way to twine, it begin to shift to that feeling of destiny. The Florida Panthers were indeed carrying on the dynasty of hockey in the state-of-Florida. The Florida Panthers, a team of six, first-time winners. They had captured the cup.
What About the Story from Florida
BENNETT IS THE CONN SMYTHE WINNER!
After leading the League with 15 goals through the postseason, Sam Bennett has been crowned the MVP of these #StanleyCup Playoffs. pic.twitter.com/2qzd8MwhmK
— NHL (@NHL) June 18, 2025
One thing about the Florida Panthers is that their best players like Brad Marchand, or the Playoff MVP Conn Smythe trophy recipient for 2025, Sam Bennett, were playing like their best players. And we said it before, when you are as good as the Florida Panther players are, and they’re collectively playing well, and sprinkle in some stellar goaltending in the variety of Sergei Bobrovsky, you know it has been going on all playoffs, too, not just here in the finals. The Panthers will end up being successful more often than not. Bobrovsky is consistently a guy in the playoffs with a plus-.910 save percentage. That’s fantastic really.
Edmonton was Probably Too Individual In the End
On the other side of the puck, it was tough. The Edmonton Oilers do come in waves. They have the speed they have and the talent to attack at will. However, a well-built, physical team with a lot of, let’s be honest, you know, smart two-way players, shut down Edmonton. The difficulty with Florida is that Edmonton could not stick to a safe, puck possession, cycle game, they needed to go on the attack. Which, unfortunately, works right in the hands of Barkov and company.
McDavid still had a very impressive playoff and definitely had himself in Conn Smythe conversation. He ended it with seven goals and 26 assists for 33 points. Interestingly enough, Draisaitl tied McDavid, 33 points, and did it with 11 goals. It has been a tremendous three-or-four-year stretch for the Oiler duo of superstars.
The Oilers goaltending was very hot, at times, throughout the postseason. However, in the end, it was unlucky. The goalie, Calvin Pickard, had been 7-0, then loses Game 5, at home. You go back with Stuart Skinner for Game 6, because you have to, he’s your starter. Didn’t know he’d have to deal with Sam Reinhart. He who was just named to Canada’s top six. A truly short and prestigious select company to hold yourself in. And then they are.
Main Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Image
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