Panthers, Oilers meet again in Stanley Cup Final with history on the line

We've also reached the NHL Grand Final, where last year's finalists, the Edmonton Oilers, and the Florida Panthers, will battle it out for Lord Stanley's trophy. The Oilers will be looking to prevent the Panthers from defending their title, as they look to become the first Canadian team to win the championship in 32 years, while Florida looks even stronger than last year.

Edmonton Oilers (3P) – Florida Panthers (3A)
When Florida right wing Matthew Tkachuk and Edmonton center Connor McDavid met in the handshake parade after the Panthers' 2-1 victory in Game 7 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, McDavid congratulated him by saying, "Deserved." Tkachuk, still feeling the heat of winning his first title, patted McDavid on the shoulder and replied, "I hope to see you next year."

Here they are, almost a year later, ready to do it again.

"It's going to be another incredible battle. They play very dominant hockey and we're excited for the challenge. We've got to be ready," Panthers forward Sam Reinhart said.

This will be the 12th time in NHL history that the same teams have met in the finals in consecutive seasons and the first time since Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins avenged a loss to the Detroit Red Wings in 2008 and beat them in 2009. McDavid and the Oilers are looking to follow their example, as well as the example of the Gretzky-era Oilers, who avenged their 1983 finals loss to the New York Islanders in 1984.

McDavid reacts

The Florida Panthers won both regular-season games by one goal.

"I think we got better by getting through last year's finals. It was a great experience that motivated us all season. This playoffs feel different. There's no big ups and downs, everything has been consistent and I think that's put us in a good position," McDavid said.

The Panthers are looking to become the first team to beat the same opponent in the finals season after season since the Montreal Canadiens beat the Boston Bruins in 1977 and 1978. Florida knows it won't be easy, because it wasn't last year either - they blew a 3-0 series lead but won in Game 7. This time, Edmonton has home-court advantage.

"They're a really good team. They've been to the finals before, they're hungry. It's not easy to get to the finals two years in a row. We've got to play our game and we're ready," said Panthers forward Carter Verhegy.