Stanley Cup Final Preview: A look at the rematch

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“We’ll see you in the Finals next year, Stu. You guys are too good.” said Florida Panthers, Matthew Tkachuk, to Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner after they defeated them in game 7 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals. 

Now, in a full circle moment, fans are getting a rematch between the Panthers and Oilers in the 2025 Stanley Cup Finals. 

A Look at the 2024 Stanley Cup Final

The 2025 rematch is set, but how did the series end last year? Well, the Panthers won the Cup, but it was not an easy path, as the Oilers put up a good fight.

Having home ice advantage, the Panthers won the first 2 games, as well as the first in Oilers territory, taking a 3-0 lead in the series. 

In a do-or-die game 4 for the Oilers, they dominated with an 8-1 win over the Panthers. Forcing the series back to Florida and starting what would need to be a reverse sweep.

The Oilers won the next 2, one on the road and another at home, tying the series 3-3, putting the series back to Florida for one final winner-takes-all game.

The Panthers struck first, but not even 3 minutes later the Oilers tied the game. With just over 5 minutes left in the second, Sam Reinhart helped the Panthers take a 2-1 lead, which would turn out to be the game-winning goal.

Despite the Oilers clawing their way back from a 3-0 series deficit to force a game 7, the Panthers held on to win the series 4-3. Winning their first Stanley cup.

The Recipient of the Conn Smythe

The Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded to the most valuable player (MVP) during the playoffs. This trophy is awarded when the Stanley Cup is handed out, and typically goes to a player on the winning team, however,  this is not always the case. 

Despite the Panthers winning the Stanley Cup, the Conn Smythe Trophy was awarded to a player on the losing team, Connor McDavid.

Throughout the 2024 National Hockey League (NHL) Playoffs, Connor McDavid put up impressive numbers, earning this honour, and was clearly the MVP of his team, and arguably the playoffs.

A Look at the Teams in the Regular Season

After an intense Stanley Cup Finals matchup, these 2 teams facing each other in the NHL 24-25 regular season was highly anticipated. These teams faced off twice in what would be 2 very close games.

The first rematch took place in December of 2024. It was a back-and-forth game, with the Panthers leading after the first, before the Oilers had an explosive second period to take the lead heading into the third. 

The Panthers countered with their own explosive period, winning the game in regulation 6-5, taking a 1-0 season series lead.

The second rematch took place in February of 2025. The first 2 periods saw teams exchange goals before Florida doubled their lead 4-2. The Oilers got 1 more in the period, but Florida took the game 4-3, winning both rematches and the season series 2-0.

However, a season series sweep does not mean anything in the playoffs, as can be seen with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators matchup. Ottawa swept the regular season series between the teams 3-0, but lost to Toronto in the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

A Look at the Teams Now

Heading into the final round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs there are key additions and subtractions to note for both teams.

The Florida Panthers: have gained left winger Brad Marchand. Marchand was a trade deadline acquisition for the Panthers from the Boston Bruins. He immediately started fitting in with his new team, and has brought a light presence to the team.

The Edmonton Oilers: have lost Zach Hyman. The Oilers lost Hyman in game 4 of their series against the Dallas Stars. Hyman is a huge physical loss for the Oilers as he led the playoffs in hits with 111, as well as a loss on the powerplay.

The Edmonton Oilers: have gained home ice advantage. Last year's playoffs saw more games in Florida than Edmonton and this year the tables have turned. Roger’s Place, Edmonton's home barn, is loud every game cheering on the Oilers and it will be hard for the Panthers to tune them out, especially if this series gets to another game 7.

The Prince of Wales Trophy

The Prince of Wales Trophy is awarded to the winner of the Eastern Conference Finals and it comes with some superstitions around touching. It is believed that hoisting or touching the trophy will bring bad luck to your team in the final.

In 2023, the Panthers won this trophy, earning them a spot in the final against the Vegas Golden Knights. The Panthers went against the superstition, touching the Prince of Wales trophy and ultimately lost to the Golden Knights in game 5.

They booked their second ticket in a row to the Stanley Cup Final in 2024, this time, they stayed far away from the Prince of Wales Trophy and narrowly beat the Oilers in game 7.

This is now the third consecutive year that the Panthers have won this trophy, and following suit like last year, they did not touch the trophy. How that goes for them this year remains to be seen.

The Clarence S. Campbell Bowl

The Clarence S. Campbell Bowl Trophy is awarded to the winner of the Western Conference Finals and it also comes with some superstitions around touching it. It follows the same superstition as the Prince of Wales Trophy saying that touching the trophy will bring bad luck to you in the final.

In 2024, the Edmonton Oilers followed superstition and like the Panthers, did not touch their respective trophy, the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl. Despite not touching the trophy, which supposedly gives you good luck, the Oilers lost in game 7, but they did push a game 7 after being down 3-0 in the series.

Now, in 2025, the Oilers have switched things up and touched the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl. How that goes for them this year remains to be seen.

Going into the 2025 Stanley Cup finals, you have one team following superstition and not touching their Conference Final trophy, something that has proven to work for the Panthers in their quest for the Stanley Cup before. On the other hand, you have the Oilers switching things up, and touching their Conference Final trophy, trying to shake things up from last year.

It will be interesting to see if old ways or new tactics win out in this epic rematch.

Gretzky —> Crosby —> McDavid

BarDown points out an insane stat from Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby that McDavid has the chance to continue on in this year's final.

In 1983, Gretzky made his first Stanley Cup Final appearance and the Islanders beat the Oilers. The next year, in 1984, these teams faced off again, and this time, the Oilers beat the Islanders and Gretzky won his first cup.

In 2008, Crosby made his first Stanley Cup Final appearance and the Red Wings beat the Penguins. The next year, in 2009, these teams faced off again, and this time, the Penguins beat the Red Wings and Crosby won his first cup.

Last year, in 2024, McDavid made his first Stanley Cup Final appearance and the Panthers beat the Oilers. Now, in 2025, these teams are facing off again, and McDavid has the chance to beat the Panthers and win his first cup, continuing on this crazy stat.

This is going to be an intense rematch between the two teams with the Oilers hungry to get McDavid his first cup and the Panthers eager to win in back-to-back years. It all starts June 4, 2025 in the hunt to crown a winner.