Last year, the beat the Edmonton Oilers in seven games. This year it only took six games to beat those exact Same Oilers. There is so much to unpack from how this series went down. The Panthers more than deserved this title. At the same time, the Oilers left a lot to be desired in this series as well.
This year was a totally different series than the one we saw a year ago. Last year, the Panthers were up 3-0 in the series, Edmonton stormed back and forced a game seven, before Florida came away with its title. This year, Florida dominated this series. The only wins for the Oilers were on a pair of overtime goals by Leon Draisaitl. Sure, Leon and Conor McDavid tied for the lead for points in the playoffs with 33 each. Leon was better in the Finals. Yes, Conor had 7 points, but just one goal over the course of the six games. The support guys kind of just disappeared. Evan Bouchard and Ryan Nugent Hopkins weren't ass effecting in the finals as they were playing supporting roles in the first three rounds.
Then there's the goaltending for Edmonton. I'm sorry, but a lot had been riding on the play of Stuart Skinner in the Finals and he just didn't deliver. To say he disappeared would be an understatement. There are times, yes, where he looked like he could steal the series for Edmonton. And at the same time, he looked like he couldn't stop a beachball. It has to be frustrating, if your an Oilers fan, to think that this guy could be the one to get you over the hump and get you a title. Hell, it has to be frustrating if your McDavid. He's got nine straight 90 or more point seasons and he STILL doesn't have a title to show for it. The guy is the best player in the world, but doesn't have the supporting cast to get over that final hump and claim a Cup.
As for the Panthers, they managed to find a way to get the roster they needed to win a second straight title. Credit has to go General Manager Bill Zito for being able to re-tool his roster to get the right guys on the ice to fit the system. Paul Maurice gets the most out of his players and that was evident with capturing a second straight title. And an even bigger hats off to Matthew Tkachuk for being able to do what he did in the cup finals. He managed to play in the finals with a torn adductor muscle. And he still finished tied with Sam Reinhart for the team lead with 23 points. But both paled in comparison to the 15 goals scored by playoff MVP Sam Bennett.
And in net, Sergei Bobrovsky played every minute of the entire playoffs. Some had questioned Bob after the first year of his big contract, but boy oh boy has he been worth every penny and then some the last couple of seasons. That's what makes the Panthers so good. They are a very balanced team that can pretty much play any style that they go up against. And management is not only aware of this, but they will go out and get the players they need too plug the holes and keep this machine going.
There is one thing that needs to be at least looked at. That is the fact that Matthew Tkachuk called the Panthers a dynasty. I get it, he's excited as all getup for winning the cup for the 2nd year in a row. But a Dynasty? Come on lets not jump the gun here. I'm not taking anything away from what the Panthers have managed to do over the last three years. Three straight finals appearances, and back to back Stanley Cups is an amazing accomplishment. To be truly counted as a dynasty, at least in my mind, win another title in the next two or so years. Another trip to the finals, making it four years in a row. That's how to become a dynasty.
A great team? Yes we can say that with this Panthers club. Congratulations to the Florida Panthers, your 2025 Stanley Cup Champions!
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