The Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers are meeting for the second year in a row in the Stanley Cup Final.
The Panthers won in seven games last season in a seesaw series, but the Oilers will have home-ice advantage this year.
Florida defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games, the Toronto Maple Leafs in seven games and the Carolina Hurricanes in five games. The Panthers lost the first two games against Toronto before rallying.
Edmonton defeated the Los Angeles Kings in six games, the Vegas Golden Knights in five games and the Dallas Stars in five games. The Oilers lost the first two games against the Kings before rallying.
Who will win this year’s championship and the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP? USA TODAY Sports’ Jason Anderson, Mike Brehm and Jace Evans weigh in.
Stanley Cup Final predictions
Jason Anderson: Oilers in 7. If, when the playoffs began, you told me we’d see a Stanley Cup rematch, this prediction would have probably been Panthers in five or six. Florida has talent on all lines, Sergei Bobrovsky is Sergei Bobrovsky and they have the edge in terms of being fine-tuned for playoff hockey. However, there’s something to the Oilers right now that goes beyond ‘they’re the team that has Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.’ Edmonton held the Dallas Stars to 17 shots in an elimination game, showing top-to-bottom poise, and Mattias Ekholm came back back to bolster the defense as well. This Panthers team will be back, but for the first time since 1993, the Cup is heading to Canada.
Conn Smythe winner: McDavid, Oilers
Mike Brehm: Panthers in 6. The Oilers are better than they were last season, but the Panthers are also deeper than in 2024. They lack home-ice advantage for a fourth consecutive round, but they’ve done well without it, scoring five or more goals in their last five road games. As well as the Oilers are locking it down defensively, the Panthers’ hard-forechecking style can force a team into mistakes. Looking back, my preseason pick for the Stanley Cup champion was the Oilers. I won’t be surprised if they win, but Florida should become a repeat champion.
Conn Smythe winner: Aleksander Barkov, Panthers
Jace Evans: Oilers in 6. The Panthers are basically a perfect playoff team, so it won’t be surprising if they repeat. But Edmonton has the two best players in this series in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl and I remain steadfast in my belief they will lead the Oilers to a championship. Still, the Oilers no longer rely just on them. The depth has come through these playoffs – though losing Zach Hyman hurts – and, even more important, the Oilers have shown incredible shutdown ability. That defensive play (that in theory could even improve with Mattias Ekholm back) will be the difference.
Conn Smythe winner: Draisaitl, Oilers
Stanley Cup Final schedule
All times Eastern; (x-if necessary)
Game 1: Wednesday, June 4 | Florida at Edmonton | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV
Game 2: Friday, June 6 | Florida at Edmonton | 8 p.m | TNT, truTV
Game 3: Monday, June 9, Edmonton at Florida | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV
Game 4: Thursday, June 12, Edmonton at Florida | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV
x-Game 5: Saturday, June 14, Florida at Edmonton | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV
x-Game 6: Tuesday, June 17, Edmonton at Florida | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV
x-Game 7: Friday, June 20, Florida at Edmonton | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV
How to stream Stanley Cup Final
Stanley Cup Final games can be streamed on Sling TV and Max.
