The Edmonton Oilers have reached the NHL’s pinnacle, the Stanley Cup Final, for the first time since 2006. Their opponents in this best-of-seven series are the Florida Panthers, who are making their second consecutive appearance in the championship round. The Oilers are led by the dynamic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, who have combined for 15 goals and 44 assists in this postseason. McDavid, the reigning Hart Trophy winner as the NHL’s most valuable player, has been a force throughout the playoffs, leading the league in scoring with 15 goals and 33 assists in 16 games. Draisaitl, the reigning Art Ross Trophy winner as the NHL’s leading scorer, has been equally impressive, with 11 goals and 21 assists in 16 playoff games.
The Oilers’ path to the Stanley Cup Final has been a challenging one. They were ousted by the eventual Stanley Cup champion the last two years — in six games in the second round by the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023, and in a 2022 Western Conference final sweep by the Colorado Avalanche. But this year, the Oilers have shown resilience and determination, overcoming adversity to reach the championship series.
The Panthers, meanwhile, have been one of the most consistent teams in the NHL all season long. They finished the regular season with the second-best record in the league, and they have continued to impress in the playoffs, dispatching the Washington Capitals, New York Rangers, and Tampa Bay Lightning to reach the Stanley Cup Final. The Panthers are led by a balanced attack, with several players capable of contributing offensively. Jonathan Huberdeau, Aleksander Barkov, and Sam Reinhart are all averaging more than a point per game in the playoffs, and they will be looking to continue their strong play against the Oilers.
The Stanley Cup Final is sure to be a closely contested series, with both teams having a legitimate chance to win the championship. The Oilers will be looking to bring the Stanley Cup back to Canada for the first time since 1993, while the Panthers will be hoping to claim their first-ever championship. The series is set to begin on Saturday, June 3, in Sunrise, Florida.
