Oilers, Panthers set for 12th Stanley Cup final rematch in NHL history
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Given that one of 16 teams emerges from each National Hockey League conference to contest the final every year, the chances of a consecutive, repeat matchup currently are one in 4,096.
It had happened just 11 times since 1927 — and not at all since Detroit and Pittsburgh went back-to-back in 2008 and '09 — before the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers made it an even dozen and will face off again, with the Panthers looking to defend their Cup title from 2024.
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Global News
31 minutes ago
- Global News
Panthers forward Brad Marchand reflects on ‘stressful' departure from the Bruins
Brad Marchand found himself in uncharted territory. The Boston Bruins captain was churning towards unrestricted free agency on a team that was falling well short of expectations. The stress was getting to him. 'Situations I really hadn't been in before … I wouldn't say I dealt with them great,' Marchand said Tuesday. 'The business side of it, I let it frustrate me.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The business side of it, I let it frustrate me." The veteran winger from Halifax couldn't agree on a new contract with the Bruins — the only NHL franchise he had ever known — and was eventually traded to the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers as the Atlantic Division powerhouse loaded up for another title run. The fit has been perfect. Story continues below advertisement 1:57 Edmonton Oilers advance to Stanley Cup Finals Marchand, who won the Cup with Boston in 2011 and made the final in both 2013 and 2019, is back in the NHL's title series sporting new colours. The player, however, remains largely the same. Schooled in hockey's dark arts, Marchand has eased up on the antics as he's matured, but the 37-year-old remains an antagonizing force for a group that will face the Edmonton Oilers for a second straight June — Game 1 goes Wednesday at Rogers Place — after the Panthers won in seven hard-found games some 11 1/2 months ago. Story continues below advertisement 'I learned about him that he's a good guy,' Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov, who defeated Marchand's Bruins in both the 2023 and 2024 playoffs, said with a smile during his NHL media day availability. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'Playing against him … you'd rather have him on your side than playing against him. He's brought a lot of experience to our team.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Playing against him … you'd rather have him on your side than playing against him. He's brought a lot of experience to our team." Florida winger Matthew Tkachuk said Marchand's entry into the locker room couldn't have been scripted any better. 'He's the perfect Panther,' Tkachuk said. 'He's built for our team … he was so hard to play against. We've played a bunch before, but I still don't think you get to see his skill set. 'Such a hard worker and an unbelievable teammate.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Such a hard worker and an unbelievable teammate." Florida centre Sam Bennett had run-ins with Marchand on opposite sides in the playoffs, including when he delivered a sneaky punch to his now-teammate in the Panthers' second-round victory last season. The pair suited up for Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament in February before becoming NHL teammates a few weeks later. 'The one thing that really stands out is just his natural leadership,' Bennett said. 'Right from Day 1, guys looked up to him. He's great around the room. He brings the energy. He keeps things light … make everyone feel a little bit more comfortable. Story continues below advertisement 'Especially in the high-pressure situations.' Marchand, however, readily admits he didn't handle the pressures of his Boston exit as well as he would have liked. That page now turned, he's focused on securing his second Cup in a completely new environment. 'There were different hurdles that continued to get frustrating and stressful throughout the year, but that's part of the game,' Marchand said. 'You've got to find ways to deal with it. I wish I had done a better job at times. 'Something I can learn from.' Sticking around Oilers forward Corey Perry said he plans to be back in the NHL for a 21st season in 2025-26. 'It's just not in me to think about it,' the 40-year-old said when asked if he's ever contemplated retirement. 'I love playing. I love being around the room. I don't think that's going to come into my head any time soon. 'The plan is to be back.' Story continues below advertisement One goal in mind Poised to become one of the big names on the unrestricted free agent market if he doesn't re-up with Florida before July 1, Bennett said his future beyond this season has taken a back seat. 'Haven't really thought too much about anything other than the playoffs and getting here,' he said. 'Now the whole focus is on winning the Stanley Cup. Everything else is going to be in the background for the next couple weeks.'
Global News
2 hours ago
- Global News
Oilers, Panthers to square off in Stanley Cup rematch with Game 1 in Edmonton
Matthew Tkachuk showed off his soothsayer skills last year in the Stanley Cup final handshake line when the Florida Panthers' power forward told Edmonton Oilers' captain Connor McDavid that they would meet again very soon. Fast forward to tonight and the winner-takes-all rematch Tkachuk predicted is set to begin at Rogers Place in Edmonton at 8 p.m. ET. Story continues below advertisement The Panthers hoisted their first Stanley Cup last year when they knocked off the Oilers in seven games. They are determined to repeat as champions, while the Oilers are hoping to hoist the Cup for the first time since beating the Boston Bruins in 1990. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy It's the 12th time in NHL history, and the second time in 40 years, that the same two teams are meeting in the final. Both teams have toughened up, added experience and made improvements and adjustments since their last Cup clash. This time the Oilers have home-ice advantage with Games 1 and 2 in Edmonton and, if necessary, so are Games 5 and 7. The Cup-crazy Alberta fans have embraced singer Chappell Roan's hit Pink Pony Club, screaming the lyrics and dancing after goals and victories. Speaking of having fun, the Panthers are making their third straight appearance in the Cup final and this season have been road warriors. They are 8-2 in the post-season, which is tied for the sixth-best winning percentage in NHL playoff history. McDavid and Leon Draisaitl lead all scorers in the playoffs with 26 and 25 points, respectively. Since making their post-season debuts in 2017 McDavid has 143 points and Draisaitl has 133. The only thing missing on their resumes is a Cup. And since the Panthers acquired Tkachuk in a trade with the Calgary Flames in the summer of 2022, the team has won 10 of 11 playoff series. Story continues below advertisement
Edmonton Journal
2 hours ago
- Edmonton Journal
Psychology 101: The mental gymnastics behind this Edmonton Oilers Cup run
Article content You'd be hard pressed to find much finer physical specimens in all of hockey than the ones playing in the Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place beginning Wednesday (6 p.m., CBC, Sportsnet). But physical attributes alone didn't earn the Edmonton Oilers a rematch against the same Florida Panthers who edged them 2-1 in Game 7 of last year's championship series.
