SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — The Florida Panthers are Stanley Cup champions once again.
They defeated the Edmonton Oilers 5-1 in Game 6 of the NHL Final on June 17, earning back-to-back titles for the first time in franchise history.
With this win, the Panthers become the first team to repeat as champs since the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020 and 2021 — and only the third this century.
Reinhart’s Historic Night, Tkachuk Seals the Win
Sam Reinhart was the star of Game 6, scoring four goals — the most in a Stanley Cup Final game since Maurice Richard in 1957. His hat trick goal had fans tossing both hats and rubber rats onto the ice, a Panthers tradition.
Matthew Tkachuk, one of Florida’s key leaders, scored the final goal to officially seal the win. After the game, he called the moment “special” and said the team now has to be “a dynasty.”
Dominant Defense, Big Names Step Up
Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky was nearly perfect, stopping 28 of 29 shots. He only allowed a late goal from Edmonton’s Vasily Podkolzin, well after the outcome was decided.
The Panthers used a relentless forecheck and shutdown defense to contain Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, who struggled to find space and rhythm throughout the series.
McDavid finished the Final with seven points, but once again missed out on his first Cup title.
Bennett Wins Conn Smythe Trophy
Sam Bennett, who led all scorers in the playoffs with 15 goals, was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. Trade deadline additions Brad Marchand and Seth Jones were also crucial. Marchand scored six goals in the Final alone.
Captain Aleksander Barkov handed the Stanley Cup to Nate Schmidt, one of the first-time champions, in a celebration filled with emotion and pride.
“It’s amazing to be here,” Schmidt said. “I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.”
A Dynasty in the Making?
Since Tkachuk joined via trade and Paul Maurice became head coach in 2022, the Panthers have won 11 of 12 playoff series and reached three straight Stanley Cup Finals. Only the 2023 loss to Vegas stopped them from a three-peat.
This run included playoff series wins over:
- Tampa Bay in 5 games
- Toronto in 7
- Carolina in 5
- Edmonton in 6
The Panthers led for over 255 minutes in this series — the most in Stanley Cup Final history.
Edmonton Falls Short, Canada’s Drought Continues
Despite a strong postseason, the Oilers were overwhelmed. Goaltender Stuart Skinner faced pressure all series, and defensive errors led to costly goals. McDavid admitted, “We lost to a really good team.”
Canada’s Stanley Cup drought now stretches to 31 seasons, dating back to Montreal’s win in 1993.
More Than a Win — A Statement
With this championship, Florida cements its place among the NHL’s elite. The Sun Belt continues its rise, with five of the last six Cup wins coming from southern U.S. teams — four of them in Florida.
Coach Paul Maurice, now a two-time champion, has built a team that combines grit, skill, and experience. Veteran Brad Marchand, who last lifted the Cup with Boston in 2011, called it an unforgettable moment:
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