2025 Stanley Cup Final

Series Context and Path to the Final

The 2025 Stanley Cup Final was the sixth consecutive championship series to feature a team from the state of Florida. It marked the first Stanley Cup Final rematch since 2009, and the first time since 1978 that the same team won the championship in consecutive years against the same opponent. Neither finalist had home-ice advantage in any of the first three playoff rounds, a feat not accomplished since 2012. The Edmonton Oilers entered the series with home-ice advantage due to their superior regular season record, seeking their first Stanley Cup since 1990 and their sixth overall.

The Oilers' path to their second consecutive Final involved significant offseason changes. After general manager Ken Holland departed, Stan Bowman was hired. The team added forwards Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson via free agency and made key deadline acquisitions, including defenceman Jake Walman. Leon Draisaitl led the team with 106 points. Edmonton finished third in the Pacific Division with a 48-29-5 record, then defeated the Los Angeles Kings, Vegas Golden Knights, and Dallas Stars to win the Western Conference. The Florida Panthers aimed to become the first team to defeat the same opponent in back-to-back Finals since the Montreal Canadiens beat the Boston Bruins in 1978.

The Panthers, meanwhile, bolstered their roster for another championship run. Key free agent additions included defenceman Nate Schmidt, and the team made a major trade deadline move by acquiring Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand. Sam Reinhart led the team with 81 points, and captain Aleksander Barkov won the Frank J. Selke Trophy. Florida finished third in the Atlantic Division with a 47-31-4 record. Their playoff run included series victories over the Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Carolina Hurricanes.

Game Summaries

The series opened in Edmonton on June 4. Game one was a back-and-forth affair that required overtime. After the Panthers took a 2-1 lead in the first period, the Oilers fought back to tie the game in the third. On a power play in overtime, Connor McDavid set up Leon Draisaitl for the game-winning goal, giving Edmonton a 4-3 victory and an early series lead. Game two also extended to overtime, this time requiring double overtime. The Oilers held leads of 2-1 and 3-2, but Panthers forward Brad Marchand scored a shorthanded goal to give Florida a 4-3 lead late in the second period. With 18 seconds left in regulation, Corey Perry scored for Edmonton to force overtime. Marchand then scored his second of the game on a breakaway in the second overtime period to even the series at one game apiece.

The series shifted to Florida for game three, where the Panthers dominated in a 6-1 victory. Marchand scored just 56 seconds into the game, setting the tone. The Oilers accumulated 85 penalty minutes, the most for one team in a Stanley Cup Final game since 1986. The lopsided win gave Florida a 2-1 series lead. Game four featured one of the most dramatic comebacks in Final history. The Panthers built a 3-0 lead in the first period. Edmonton slowly chipped away, tying the game in the second period and taking a 4-3 lead late in the third. With 20 seconds remaining in regulation, Sam Reinhart scored to force overtime. Leon Draisaitl then scored the winning goal, completing the comeback and tying the series 2-2. It was the seventh time a team had overcome a three-goal deficit in the Final, and the first since 2006.

Florida responded strongly in game five back in Edmonton. Brad Marchand scored twice, and the Panthers built a 4-1 lead through two periods. A late goal by Corey Perry was not enough for the Oilers, as Eetu Luostarinen sealed a 5-2 victory with an empty-net goal, giving Florida a 3-2 series lead. The Panthers closed out the series in game six on home ice with a decisive 5-1 win. Sam Reinhart was the star, scoring four goals, including two empty-net markers. He became the first player since Maurice Richard in 1957 to score four goals in a Final game, and only the second player in league history to do so in a series-clinching game. Sergei Bobrovsky made 28 saves as Florida captured its second consecutive championship.

Notable Performances and Records

Several individual and team records were set or matched during the 2025 Stanley Cup Final. Panthers forward Sam Reinhart's four-goal performance in the clinching game six was a historic feat. He joined Babe Dye (1922) as the only players to score four goals in a series-clinching Final game, and was the first to score four in any Final game since Maurice Richard in 1957. Reinhart was also engraved on the Stanley Cup with his full first name, Samson. For the Oilers, Leon Draisaitl set a playoff record by scoring his fourth overtime goal of the 2025 postseason during game four. With that goal, he also became the first player since John LeClair in 1993 to score two overtime goals in the same Stanley Cup Final.

The Panthers as a team made history by becoming the third franchise to win the Stanley Cup without having home-ice advantage in any round of the playoffs, joining the 1995 New Jersey Devils and the 2012 Los Angeles Kings. The Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded to the most valuable player of the entire playoffs, was given to Panthers forward Sam Bennett. His consistent two-way play and timely scoring throughout the postseason were instrumental in Florida's championship run. The series also saw veteran forward Corey Perry of the Oilers make his sixth career Final appearance, having previously won with Anaheim in 2007.

Stanley Cup Engraving and Team Rosters

The Stanley Cup was presented to Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman following game six. The subsequent engraving of the 2024-25 Florida Panthers on the trophy included several notable details. Forward Nico Sturm, who was a healthy scratch for the entire Final after playing eight playoff games earlier in the run, had his name engraved. He became the first German player in NHL history to have his name engraved on the Cup with two different teams, having previously won with Colorado in 2022. Not all personnel associated with the team were included on the engraving.

Defenceman Jaycob Megna and goaltender Evan Cormier, who were on the roster during the Final but did not meet the games-played qualification, were left off the Cup but received championship rings. Furthermore, vice chairman Doug Cifu, who was suspended by the NHL during the playoffs for inappropriate comments, was included on the 2024 engraving but omitted from the 2025 version. Several other front office staff from the 2024 title were also left off the 2025 engraving to make room for new names. The rosters for both Finalists featured a mix of star players, key offseason acquisitions, and trade deadline additions. The Panthers' roster was highlighted by Conn Smythe winner Sam Bennett, captain Aleksander Barkov, and deadline acquisition Brad Marchand. The Oilers were led by Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and a supporting cast that included veterans like Corey Perry and Evander Kane.

Media Coverage and Broadcast Details

In Canada, the 2025 Stanley Cup Final was broadcast for the eleventh consecutive year by Sportsnet and CBC Television in English, and by TVA Sports in French. All games were also available for live streaming on Sportsnet+. The broadcast team for Sportsnet included hosts Ron MacLean and David Amber, with analysis from Kevin Bieksa, Kelly Hrudey, Jennifer Botterill, and Elliotte Friedman. In the United States, the series was televised on TNT and simulcast on TruTV as part of a seven-year media rights deal.

This was the fourth year of that agreement, which gives TNT the Final in odd-numbered years. The series was also available for streaming on Max, marking the first time the Final was accessible on that platform since it began carrying TNT Sports-produced NHL telecasts. For the second consecutive year, an alternate telecast featuring commentary and analysis in American Sign Language was produced for the deaf community, available on Sportsnet+ in Canada and Max in the United States. The widespread coverage underscored the event's significance as a major North American sporting championship. The availability across multiple traditional and streaming platforms ensured broad access for fans in both countries.

Historical Significance and Aftermath

The Panthers' victory cemented their status as a modern NHL dynasty, winning back-to-back championships. By defeating the same opponent in consecutive Finals, they matched an accomplishment last achieved 47 years prior by the Montreal Canadiens. The win also marked the sixth straight year a team from Florida reached the Final, highlighting the state's growing prominence in the league. The series demonstrated the competitive parity in the league, as both teams had to win playoff series without the benefit of home-ice advantage in the earlier rounds. The dramatic nature of the series, featuring multiple overtimes and a historic three-goal comeback, contributed to its legacy as one of the more memorable Finals in recent years. The outcome had immediate implications for the following season. The Carolina Hurricanes would go on to defeat the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2026 Stanley Cup Final, ending the Panthers' bid for a three-peat. The 2025 series thus represents the culmination of a two-year championship rivalry between Florida and Edmonton, a rare repeat matchup in the modern NHL.

Questions about 2025 Stanley Cup Final

Who won the 2025 Stanley Cup Final?

The Florida Panthers won the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, defeating the Edmonton Oilers four games to two. This victory gave the Panthers their second consecutive Stanley Cup championship and the second title in the history of their franchise. The series concluded on June 17, 2025, with a 5-1 Panthers victory in game six. Sam Bennett of the Panthers was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the entire playoffs.

Which player scored four goals in the clinching game?

Panthers forward Sam Reinhart scored four goals in game six to clinch the series. His performance included two empty-net goals. Reinhart became the first player since Maurice Richard in 1957 to score four goals in any Stanley Cup Final game. He also became only the second player in NHL history, after Babe Dye in 1922, to score four goals in the series-clinching game of a Stanley Cup Final.

Did any team have home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs?

No, neither finalist had home-ice advantage in any of the first three rounds of the 2025 playoffs. This was the first time this had occurred since 2012. The Edmonton Oilers had home-ice advantage for the Final itself because they had a better regular season record than the Florida Panthers. The Panthers became the third team ever to win the Cup without home-ice advantage in any round.

How was the series broadcast in Canada?

In Canada, the series was broadcast on Sportsnet and CBC Television in English, and on TVA Sports in French. This marked the eleventh consecutive year of this broadcast arrangement. All games were also available for live streaming on Sportsnet+. The coverage included an alternate telecast with American Sign Language commentary, available on Sportsnet+, for the benefit of the deaf community.

What was the result of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final?

The Florida Panthers defeated the Edmonton Oilers four games to two in the best of seven series. This earned the Panthers their second consecutive Stanley Cup championship. It was the second title in the franchise's history. The series concluded on June 17, 2025.

Who was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy for the 2025 playoffs?

Sam Bennett of the Florida Panthers was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the 2025 playoffs. He was a key contributor throughout the postseason. The trophy is given to the playoff MVP. His performance helped lead the Panthers to their second straight championship.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-19.