Stanley Cup Final 2025: Expert staff picks, predictions and more

USA Today

2 days ago

Stanley Cup Final 2025: Expert staff picks, predictions and more
We've finally reached the final hockey series of the year and it was well worth the wait.
The Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers will face off for the second straight year as the southern team tries to retain the title while their neighbors up north look to bring the Stanley Cup to Canadian soil for the first time since 1993.
Naturally, we've assembled our team of experts to predict how this will all play out — and hopefully make up for our preseason prediction whiffs.
Game 1 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final starts on Wednesday night so let's just jump right into it.
Who's Winning The 2025 Stanley Cup Final?
Blake Schuster: Oilers in 7
DRAG THEM BACK TO EDMONTON RETURNS WITH A VENGEANCE. But for real, I refuse to believe this season ends with Seth Jones lifting the Stanley Cup.
Robert Zeglinski: Oilers in 6
I don't care if it's the cliche, trite reasoning but I want Connor McDavid to finally win the Cup. I want arguably the most talented hockey player ever to finally hoist Lord Stanley. Don't use any of this against me if the Oilers ever start a dynasty and I get sick of all their winning. I'm a human being. I'm allowed to change my opinions.
Mary Clarke: Panthers in 7
I think the Oilers losing Zach Hyman to a season-ending injury is going to loom incredibly large in this series. While I'd rather see the Oilers capture the Stanley Cup and bring it home to Canada for the first time since 1993, the Panthers seem poised to take advantage of a major weakness in the Oilers' lineup.
Charles Curtis: Oilers in 7
Sigh. I'm fully aware the Panthers are built for the postseason and they've looked every bit like the team that won last year. But the revenge storyline is too much. The Oilers dig deep and win it at home, bringing the Cup back to Canada.
Jordan Tomiyama: Panthers in 6
I know it's Connor McDavid's revenge tour but the Panthers are built DIFFERENT. They're incredibly deep, mean and have a great goalie. I don't trust the Oilers' goaltending and the Panthers will light Stuart Skinner up.
Who's Winning The 2025 Conn Smythe?
Blake Schuster: Connor McDavid
Yeah, I'm thinking back to that video from last year. You know the one. Last year's Cup Final was't a referendum on his career. This one certainly is.
Robert Zeglinski: Connor McDavid
Assuming this series goes at least six games, McDavid is on pace for something almost close to 40 playoff points. That is absurd (he also did it last year, by the way). In this scenario, no one else could possibly win the Conn Smythe if the Oilers come out on top.
Mary Clarke: Connor McDavid
Much like last year, McDavid will still capture the Conn Smythe even if the Oilers lose because he's just that good.
Charles Curtis: Leon Draisatl
I'm going against the crowd. I think there's a lot of attention paid to the other superstar on this team, opening things up for this incredibly talented forward.
Jordan Tomiyama: Aleksander Barkov
He's an elite two way player. If he shuts down McDavid and scores a couple goals, the Conn Smythe will be his.
Who's The Biggest X-Factor?
Blake Schuster: Brad Marchand
He has 14 points in 17 postseason games already and is such a pest (complimentary) that just keeping him away from the corners and front of the net is a win. If Edmonton can bully the 37-year-old more than he's used to, life becomes much easier for the Oilers.
Robert Zeglinski: Corey Perry
Ironically, this is the veteran's fifth straight appearance in the NHL's championship round. Uh, yeah, he lost the previous four. But that's neither here nor there. If anyone can potentially shift the tide of this series, it's Perry, who has proven to be good third-line depth for Edmonton.
Mary Clarke: Sam Bennett
Bennett's made himself a major talking point in these playoffs for the Panthers and I expect that to continue into the Stanley Cup Final. Not only is he toeing the line of being dangerous every time he steps out onto the ice, he also is a near point per game player with 10 goals and 16 points in 17 playoff games so far.
Charles Curtis: Stuart Skinner
Any and all questions about the Oilers' goaltending have been put to rest. If he plays like he did against the Stars, the Oilers are winning.
Jordan Tomiyama: Stuart Skinner
The Oilers goaltending has been feast or famine this postseason. If he plays well, they have a legit chance of hoisting the Stanley Cup but I think the Panthers will take advantage of inconsistent play.