<!–>
The Florida Panthers repeated as Stanley Cup champions by beating the Edmonton Oilers 5-1 in Game 6 of the final on Tuesday night, becoming the NHL’s first back-to-back winners since Tampa Bay in 2020 and ’21 and the third team to do it this century.
Sam Reinhart scored four goals, becoming just the fourth player in league history to get that many in a game in the final. His third to complete the hat trick sent rats, along with hats, flying onto the ice. Matthew Tkachuk, one of the faces of the franchise, fittingly scored the Cup clincher.
“Good evening, South Florida,” Commissioner Gary Bettman said. “It feels like we just did this.”
Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 28 of the 29 shots he faced, closing the door on a rematch with the same end result. The only goal came from fellow Russian Vasily Podkolzin in garbage time, long after the outcome was decided.
That was followed by chants of “We want the Cup!” as time ticked off the clock. The Panthers already had it. Now they get to keep it.
“This is as good as the first one,” Reinhart said. “We learned some lessons. We stayed on the gas, foot on the pedal, and obviously the result speaks for itself.”
Not long after the Lightning made three trips to the final in a row, Florida has done the same and now has the makings of a modern-day dynasty. The Panthers have won 11 of 12 playoff series since T kachuk arrived by trade and Paul Maurice took over as coach in the summer of 2022.
ADVERTISEMENT
–>
“We’ve got to be a dynasty now,” Tkachuk said. “Three years in a row finals, two championships. This is a special group.”
The only time they have been on the wrong side of a handshake line was the final in Vegas in 2023, only after several key players were dealing with banged up and gutting through significant injuries.
From the core of Tkachuk, Reinhart, Aleksander Barkov and Sam Bennett on down the roster, they were much healthier this time around and were boosted by key trade deadline additions Brad Marchand and Seth Jones. Bennett led all goal-scorers this postseason with 15, and Marchand had six in the final alone.
Bennett won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.
Getting depth contributions from throughout the lineup allowed them to overpower Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and the Oilers, who struggled with Florida’s ferocious forecheck and switched goaltenders multiple times in the final. Stuart Skinner got the nod in Game 6 and was again done in by mistakes in front of him that ended with the puck in the net behind him and had his own blunder on Reinhart’s second goal.
McDavid tried to take over but was again stymied by Barkov, Jones and Bobrovsky. He finished with seven points in his second career trip to the final, again denied his first title.
Canada’s Stanley Cup drought reached 31 seasons and 32 years dating to Montreal in 1993. Teams in the U.S. Sun Belt have won it five of the past six times, four of them in Florida.
This run through Tampa Bay in five, Toronto in seven, Carolina in five and Edmonton in six showed how clinical the Panthers have become under Maurice, who has coached more NHL games than everyone except Scotty Bowman and is now a two-time champion.
So is Marchand, who last hoisted the Cup in 2011 with the Boston Bruins. The 14-year gap is the third-longest in league history, just shy of 16 for Chris Chelios from 1986 to 2002 and 15 for Mark Recchi from ’91 to ’06.
“It’s incredible,” Marchand said. “It’s a feeling you can’t really describe. Seeing the family and everyone up there and everyone that supported me and helped me get to this point, words can’t put this into reality how great it feels. Such an incredible group.”
Reporting by The Associated Press.
<!–>
recommended
Get more from National Hockey League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
–>
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
2025-26 Stanley Cup odds: Oilers — not two-time defending champion Panthers — are favorites to win next year’s Stanley Cup
The Florida Panthers just won their second consecutive Stanley Cup Final, but the odds are already live at sportsbooks for which team will hoist the Cup next year.The Panthers won 5-1 on Tuesday night in Game 6 against the Edmonton Oilers in a Stanley Cup rematch, but the Oilers are actually the early +650 favorites at BetMGM to win it all next season.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFlorida has the next-best odds at +750, as the team looks to return to the finals for the fourth straight season and win its third straight title. The Panthers lost to the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023.The Colorado Avalanche (+800), Dallas Stars (+850) and Carolina Hurricanes (+900) are the other teams with better than 10-1 odds.There isn't a consensus favorite among sportsbooks for next season, as some books have the Oilers as slight favorites, while others have the […]
Kordisté obsadili v týmové soutěži na mistrovství Evropy osmé místo
Třetí tým z loňské pařížské olympiády, kde byl v sestavě místo Pavlíka loučící se Jiří Beran, měl v Janově jako čtvrtý nasazený volný los v prvním kole. Ve druhém vyřadil po přesvědčivé výhře 45:30 ruský výběr startující pod hlavičkou týmu neutrálních sportovců (AIN).Proti Němcům, kteří byli nasazeni jako číslo 11 a v osmifinále vyřadili turnajové šestky z Izraele, ale Češi od počátku tahali za kratší konec. Jurka ještě po úvodním duelu předal „štafetu“ ve vedení 4:3, ale od té doby měl navrch soupeř. Ze zbylých osmi soubojů ještě dva těsné dílčí úspěchy zaznamenal Rubeš, ale jen zmírnil ztrátu a rozjetí Němci už se nenechali zastavit.V bojích o konečné umístění utrpěli kordisté nejprve porážku 31:45 s favorizovanými Maďary, které ve čtvrtfinále překvapivě vyřadili Nizozemci. A v souboji o sedmou příčku byli nad síly českého týmu také Švýcaři (38:45). Do obou těchto zápasů už naskočil i Pavlík, který nejprve nahradil Čupra a pak Rubeše.Český tým v Janově obhajoval čtvrté […]
Fantasy Baseball Trade Analyzer: These big-name hitters may be worth moving this summer
Having been actively involved in the trade market for more than two decades, I can confidently say that the hardest thing for a fantasy baseball manager is to sell high on a player who is having a tremendous season.[Smarter waivers, better trades, optimized lineups — Yahoo Fantasy Plus unlocks it all]After all, the manager either drafted this player or added him via the waiver wire because they believed that the player could be successful. When they see their predictions coming to fruition, they feel validated and want to see the season through to the end. However, there are times when a player is outperforming even the optimistic predictions the manager had for him, and the right move is to trade the player away before he experiences regression.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThis week’s article is solely comprised of hitters who are off to terrific starts […]
Real Madrid vs Al-Hilal live updates: Club World Cup 2025 predictions, team news, latest score
Location: Miami Gardens, Fla.Capacity: 65,326Home to: Miami Dolphins, Miami HurricanesThe Club World Cup began in Miami on Saturday with the opening ceremony and Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami playing out a goalless draw with Egypt’s Al Ahly in this very stadium — also the site for the 2024 Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia.Argentina prevailed 1-0 in extra time, but the match was marred by a lack of crowd control which led to a near-stampede outside the stadium’s gates before kick-off. It was a security disaster for the tournament’s organisers (CONMEBOL) and the local government. I was there that day. There are scenes of unconscious men and women and crying children pressed against the gates that will stay with me forever.Saturday passed much more smoothly, providing another opportunity for Hard Rock Stadium to prove it can host international football matches […]
Real Madrid vs Al-Hilal live updates: Club World Cup 2025 predictions, team news, latest score
Location: Miami Gardens, Fla.Capacity: 65,326Home to: Miami Dolphins, Miami HurricanesThe Club World Cup began in Miami on Saturday with the opening ceremony and Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami playing out a goalless draw with Egypt’s Al Ahly in this very stadium — also the site for the 2024 Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia.Argentina prevailed 1-0 in extra time, but the match was marred by a lack of crowd control which led to a near-stampede outside the stadium’s gates before kick-off. It was a security disaster for the tournament’s organisers (CONMEBOL) and the local government. I was there that day. There are scenes of unconscious men and women and crying children pressed against the gates that will stay with me forever.Saturday passed much more smoothly, providing another opportunity for Hard Rock Stadium to prove it can host international football matches […]
2025 NBA Draft: Will Spurs, 76ers trade down from top 3? It’s a rare move, but here’s why it could make sense
Trading down from a top-3 pick is a rare move in the NBA. You almost never see it. Why would you? Rookie-scale contracts are the best deals in basketball, and the higher a team picks, the better its odds historically of landing a franchise changer. Most GMs would rather get fired swinging for a future All-Star than risk sliding down the board and watching the guy they passed on torch them for the next decade.McHale and Parish for Joe Barry Carroll. Webber for Penny. Fultz for Tatum. Luka for Trae. These are the kinds of trades that have shaped eras.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSince 1980, only 10 teams with a top-3 pick have traded down and stayed within the lottery. That’s 10 out of 135 chances over 45 drafts. Here they are:1980: Celtics traded No. 1 to WarriorsWarriors picked Joe Barry CarrollCeltics moved down […]
Related
2025-26 Stanley Cup odds: Oilers — not two-time defending champion Panthers — are favorites to win next year’s Stanley Cup
The Florida Panthers just won their second consecutive Stanley Cup Final, but the odds are already live at sportsbooks for which team will hoist the Cup next year.The Panthers won 5-1 on Tuesday night in Game 6 against the Edmonton Oilers in a Stanley Cup rematch, but the Oilers are actually the early +650 favorites at BetMGM to win it all next season.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFlorida has the next-best odds at +750, as the team looks to return to the finals for the fourth straight season and win its third straight title. The Panthers lost to the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023.The Colorado Avalanche (+800), Dallas Stars (+850) and Carolina Hurricanes (+900) are the other teams with better than 10-1 odds.There isn't a consensus favorite among sportsbooks for next season, as some books have the Oilers as slight favorites, while others have the […]
Kordisté obsadili v týmové soutěži na mistrovství Evropy osmé místo
Třetí tým z loňské pařížské olympiády, kde byl v sestavě místo Pavlíka loučící se Jiří Beran, měl v Janově jako čtvrtý nasazený volný los v prvním kole. Ve druhém vyřadil po přesvědčivé výhře 45:30 ruský výběr startující pod hlavičkou týmu neutrálních sportovců (AIN).Proti Němcům, kteří byli nasazeni jako číslo 11 a v osmifinále vyřadili turnajové šestky z Izraele, ale Češi od počátku tahali za kratší konec. Jurka ještě po úvodním duelu předal „štafetu“ ve vedení 4:3, ale od té doby měl navrch soupeř. Ze zbylých osmi soubojů ještě dva těsné dílčí úspěchy zaznamenal Rubeš, ale jen zmírnil ztrátu a rozjetí Němci už se nenechali zastavit.V bojích o konečné umístění utrpěli kordisté nejprve porážku 31:45 s favorizovanými Maďary, které ve čtvrtfinále překvapivě vyřadili Nizozemci. A v souboji o sedmou příčku byli nad síly českého týmu také Švýcaři (38:45). Do obou těchto zápasů už naskočil i Pavlík, který nejprve nahradil Čupra a pak Rubeše.Český tým v Janově obhajoval čtvrté […]
Fantasy Baseball Trade Analyzer: These big-name hitters may be worth moving this summer
Having been actively involved in the trade market for more than two decades, I can confidently say that the hardest thing for a fantasy baseball manager is to sell high on a player who is having a tremendous season.[Smarter waivers, better trades, optimized lineups — Yahoo Fantasy Plus unlocks it all]After all, the manager either drafted this player or added him via the waiver wire because they believed that the player could be successful. When they see their predictions coming to fruition, they feel validated and want to see the season through to the end. However, there are times when a player is outperforming even the optimistic predictions the manager had for him, and the right move is to trade the player away before he experiences regression.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThis week’s article is solely comprised of hitters who are off to terrific starts […]
Real Madrid vs Al-Hilal live updates: Club World Cup 2025 predictions, team news, latest score
Location: Miami Gardens, Fla.Capacity: 65,326Home to: Miami Dolphins, Miami HurricanesThe Club World Cup began in Miami on Saturday with the opening ceremony and Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami playing out a goalless draw with Egypt’s Al Ahly in this very stadium — also the site for the 2024 Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia.Argentina prevailed 1-0 in extra time, but the match was marred by a lack of crowd control which led to a near-stampede outside the stadium’s gates before kick-off. It was a security disaster for the tournament’s organisers (CONMEBOL) and the local government. I was there that day. There are scenes of unconscious men and women and crying children pressed against the gates that will stay with me forever.Saturday passed much more smoothly, providing another opportunity for Hard Rock Stadium to prove it can host international football matches […]
Real Madrid vs Al-Hilal live updates: Club World Cup 2025 predictions, team news, latest score
Location: Miami Gardens, Fla.Capacity: 65,326Home to: Miami Dolphins, Miami HurricanesThe Club World Cup began in Miami on Saturday with the opening ceremony and Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami playing out a goalless draw with Egypt’s Al Ahly in this very stadium — also the site for the 2024 Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia.Argentina prevailed 1-0 in extra time, but the match was marred by a lack of crowd control which led to a near-stampede outside the stadium’s gates before kick-off. It was a security disaster for the tournament’s organisers (CONMEBOL) and the local government. I was there that day. There are scenes of unconscious men and women and crying children pressed against the gates that will stay with me forever.Saturday passed much more smoothly, providing another opportunity for Hard Rock Stadium to prove it can host international football matches […]
2025 NBA Draft: Will Spurs, 76ers trade down from top 3? It’s a rare move, but here’s why it could make sense
Trading down from a top-3 pick is a rare move in the NBA. You almost never see it. Why would you? Rookie-scale contracts are the best deals in basketball, and the higher a team picks, the better its odds historically of landing a franchise changer. Most GMs would rather get fired swinging for a future All-Star than risk sliding down the board and watching the guy they passed on torch them for the next decade.McHale and Parish for Joe Barry Carroll. Webber for Penny. Fultz for Tatum. Luka for Trae. These are the kinds of trades that have shaped eras.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSince 1980, only 10 teams with a top-3 pick have traded down and stayed within the lottery. That’s 10 out of 135 chances over 45 drafts. Here they are:1980: Celtics traded No. 1 to WarriorsWarriors picked Joe Barry CarrollCeltics moved down […]
Be the first to leave a comment