Panthers Aim for NHL History Against Oilers

The Florida Panthers are seeking to make NHL history by winning consecutive Stanley Cups, facing the Edmonton Oilers again in the 2025 Final after their 2024 victory. Florida and the Tampa Bay Lightning have recently dominated the league, highlighting the rapid growth of hockey in the state, with increased youth participation and expanding fan support. The Panthers' success has been fueled by their depth, including a revamped third line led by Brad Marchand, which has been crucial when stars are unavailable. If they win, the Panthers will become the first repeat champions since the Lightning in 2020-21 and join an elite group of teams to win back-to-back Cups, a feat achieved only 17 times since 1927. The Oilers, led by Connor McDavid, aim to end their championship drought that dates back to 1990. Predictive models suggest the series is close, even as the Oilers are favored by media and betting odds.