Florida Panthers await 2025 Stanley Cup Final opponent as NHL faces Oilers bias claims
Panthers await Stanley Cup Final as NHL schedule sparks Oilers vs. Stars debate (Image via: Getty Images)
The Florida Panthers have punched their ticket to the 2025 Stanley Cup Final for the third year in a row. But as the Eastern Conference champions wait to see whether they'll face the Edmonton Oilers or Dallas Stars, NHL fans can't help but wonder: is the league subtly angling for a Panthers-Oilers rematch? With the Final's start date hinging on a single game, controversy is already heating up.
When does the 2025
Stanley Cup Final
start? Depends on
Oilers
vs. Stars Game 5
The start date for Game 1 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final is still up in the air and it all depends on Thursday night's Game 5 showdown between the Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars. As reported by Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, if the Oilers finish the job and eliminate Dallas, the Stanley Cup Final will begin on June 4. But if the Stars push the series to Game 6, the Final won't start until June 7.
At first glance, it seems like standard scheduling. But many fans aren't buying it, especially with the Florida Panthers already locked in as the Eastern Conference champions. The question buzzing across hockey circles now is whether the NHL is hoping for a Panthers-Oilers rematch?
There's reason to believe so.
The Oilers are led by megastars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, two of the most recognizable names in the NHL. Their presence alone guarantees ratings. Add in the fact that Florida and Edmonton clashed in a thrilling seven-game Stanley Cup Final just last year, and you've got the kind of storyline that networks and advertisers dream of.
On the other hand, the Dallas Stars, despite being a strong team with a recent Final appearance in 2020, just don't command the same spotlight.
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A Dallas win would delay the Stanley Cup Final — a three-day wait that could hurt momentum and viewership.
That's why some fans are raising eyebrows. The league's decision to link the Final's schedule directly to Edmonton's performance feels a little too convenient. Is the NHL subtly steering the narrative toward a high-revenue, high-drama repeat matchup?
Also Read:
Toronto Maple Leafs brace for impact; Mitch Marner contract negotiations stall before 2025 free agency
Meanwhile, the Florida Panthers remain locked in and focused, knowing full well that whoever they face, McDavid's Oilers or a gritty Stars team, the pressure will be immense. But for longtime fans of the game, this is about more than just prime-time matchups and TV numbers. It's about fairness, balance, and the soul of playoff hockey. Game 5 which could decide more than just a series airs Thursday at 8 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. MT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
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