A thrilling rematch for the end of the season
By DANIELLE WIRNOWSKI — sports@theaggie.org
The Florida Panthers clinched a spot in the 2025 Stanley Cup finals in ice hockey for the third straight season after defeating the Caroline Hurricanes. In game five on May 28, 2025, the Panthers earned their spot in the Eastern Conference with a 4-1 lead.
The Florida Panthers have a chance to hold onto the Stanley Cup for another year as long as they can pull ahead of the Edmonton Oilers, just as they did last year.
The Edmonton Oilers were able to secure a spot in the finals after defeating the Dallas Stars on May 29, in the Western Conference with a 4-1 lead as well.
The last time the Edmonton Oilers won the Stanley Cup was in 1990, with John Muckler as head coach. However, the Oilers were back in the finals for the 2024 Stanley Cup, going up against the Florida Panthers, yet lost to them after seven games.
The Florida Panthers have had a strong regular season, finishing with a 47-31-4 record and earning 98 points, which has improved their ranking in the standings to determine playoff positions.
They were placed third in the Atlantic Division, out of eight teams, and fifth in the Eastern Conference, out of 16 teams and two divisions.
As the Panthers head into the finals, star player Eetu Luostarinen suffered an injury during game five of the Eastern Conference. Although the team has not disclosed what the injury was, he was unable to return to the game.
Another few key players for the Panthers throughout the regular season are Sam Reinhart and Aleksander Barkov, who led in team goals and points and topped the assists chart.
While, in the first round, the Panthers defeated their cross-state rivals, Tampa Bay Lightning, in a very physical five-game series. This led to Barkov leaving the second game in the series with an injury, where he did not return later in the match.
Entering the second round after defeating their rivals, the Panthers entered the seven-game series with the determination to win this round against the Toronto Maple Leafs. While the series started off with a 0-2 deficit, they were able to make a comeback in the last five games and secure a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Entering the Eastern Conference Finals, the Panthers were pitted against the Carolina Hurricanes, who had previously won against the Washington Capitals.
In comparison, the Edmonton Oilers finished their regular season with a 48-29-5 record, accumulating 101 points across the season.
They were placed third in the Pacific Division, out of eight teams, and sixth in the Western Conference, out of 16 teams and two divisions.
As the Oilers approach the Stanley Cup finals, two of their players have been injured in recent games, with Connor Brown injured on May 25 and Zach Hyman injured on May 27.
Unfortunately, the Oilers reported that Hyman will undergo surgery on May 28 for an upper-body injury and will be out for the remainder of the postseason games. On the other hand, key players such as Leon Draisaitl, who led the team in goals, and Connor McDavid, who led the team in assists, remain uninjured and ready to face off in the finals.
The Oilers faced the Los Angeles Kings in the first round of the playoffs. While they were at first losing the six-game series by two games, they were able to rally and defeat the Kings after all.
As the Oilers advanced to the second round, they played the Vegas Golden Knights, whom they eliminated within a five-game series, and proceeded to the Western Conference Finals.
Entering the Western Conference finals, the Oilers faced the Dallas Stars in a rematch of the 2024 Conference finals and defeated them in a five-game series.
The Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers next faced each other in the Stanley Cup Finals, a rematch of last year’s competition. The game, held on Wednesday, June 4, went to the Florida Panthers for their second consecutive Stanley Cup win.
Written by: Danielle Wirnowski — sports@theaggie.org
