Latest news with #2024StanleyCupFinal
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Florida Panthers will face Edmonton Oilers in Stanley Cup Final rematch
The 2024 Stanley Cup Final, the series so nice we're playing it twice. That's the result of the two conference finals that ended over the past couple evenings. First, it was Florida punching their ticket to the Final with a 5-3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final on Wednesday night in Raleigh. Advertisement Then on Thursday, the Oilers completed their five-game series win over the Dallas Stars with a 6-3 victory at American Airlines Center. As if last season's seven-game marathon wasn't entertaining enough, now we get to do it all again, and it's very possible that both teams are even better this year than they were in 2024. During the regular season, the Panthers and Oilers met twice, once in the other's barn. Florida won both games, a pair of exciting, one-goal affairs. The first meeting was in Edmonton back in December, a 6-5 Panthers win, and then again in Sunrise in late February by a final score of 4-3. Advertisement In the first game, Florida came back from a 4-2 second period deficit, scoring three goals in the third while breaking a pair of ties to earn the two points. There was no comeback needed when the two Finalists met in South Florida a couple months later, as Florida scored first and never trailed, again outscoring the Oilers in the third period en route to the win. Leading the Panthers in points during the two games against Edmonton was Anton Lundell, with a goal and four assist. Each of Carter Verhaeghe, Sam Reinhart and Aaron Ekblad each logged three points against the Oilers: Verhaeghe scored twice and Reinhart once, while all of Ekblad's points were assists. Advertisement Looking at how each team has done so far during the postseason, it's no big surprised they are facing each other again. The Cats and Oilers are the two highest scoring teams in the postseason, with Edmonton averaging 3.93 goals per game and Florida putting up 3.88. Defensively, Florida has been the stingiest team in the playoffs, allowing just 2.29 goals per game. Edmonton isn't far behind, giving up 2.80. The power plays for each team are ranked 1-2, with the Oilers executing at a 29.0% success rate and the Panthers holding a respectable 23.2%. Florida's penalty kill is now the top unit in the playoffs, having successfully wiped-out 87.9 percent of their opponents power plays. Advertisement Edmonton's kill hasn't been nearly as effective, operating at a 66.7% success rate. We'll see how all this plays out when the Stanley Cup Final begins next week. Game 1 is set for Wednesday, June 4 in Edmonton. LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Brad Marchand Admits This After Panthers' Series-Clinching Win Laid back celebration following Eastern Conference Final shows Panthers maturity, understanding of bigger goal to reach Why Paul Maurice Had Postgame Exchange With Rod Brind'Amour Paul Maurice Gives Promising Injury Update On Panthers Forward Three takeaways: Panthers win exciting Game 5, special teams play big role Photo caption: Jun 24, 2024; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) defends against Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (97) during the third period in game seven of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
USA Today
19-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Who will win the Stanley Cup? 2025 NHL playoffs picks and bracket predictions
Who will win the Stanley Cup? 2025 NHL playoffs picks and bracket predictions Show Caption Hide Caption Alex Ovechkin passes Wayne Gretzsky for most goals in NHL history Alex Ovechkin reached a career milestone, scoring his 895th goal. We recently asked Washington Capitals fans where Ovechkin ranks among the NHL greats. The Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers are back in the playoffs after their seesaw 2024 Stanley Cup Final that Florida won in Game 7, but this time they will have to start on the road. Every champion since 2018 is in this year's field and there are also several teams returning after long absences such as the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens. Who will survive the four playoff rounds and come out on top? USA TODAY's Jason Anderson, Mike Brehm and Jace Evans provide their predictions for the Stanley Cup Final teams, the NHL champion and the Conn Smythe winner as playoff MVP: Jason Anderson Stanley Cup Final: Carolina Hurricanes vs. Colorado Avalanche Champion: Colorado Avalanche Conn Smythe: Cale Makar It's all coming together for the Avalanche. Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar look ready to take over, and while goalie Mackenzie Blackwood has no playoff experience, he sure looks ready for the big time. Gabriel Landeskog's potential return from a years-long battle with injury could provide a major spark, and Colorado is one of the only teams that can skate with Carolina. Mike Brehm Stanley Cup Final: Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Colorado Avalanche Champion: Colorado Avalanche Conn Smythe: Nathan MacKinnon The Avalanche have done more to address their issues than any other team. They traded both their goaltenders and the newcomers have done much better. They addressed their need for a No. 2 center with a trade for Brock Nelson, plus added center Charlie Coyle. This is a deep team. Just like in 2022, the Avalanche will beat the Lightning in the Final. Jace Evans Stanley Cup Final: Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Vegas Golden Knights Champion: Tampa Bay Lightning Conn Smythe: Nikita Kucherov The path to the Final certainly won't be easy — starting with a first-round matchup against the rival Panthers — but perhaps no team is as well-rounded as Tampa Bay. The Bolts were the highest-scoring team in the league and tied for third in goals against. Two of the men most responsible for those finishes, NHL leading scorer Nikita Kucherov and goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy, are some of the best playoff performers of the 21st century. They lead the way again and Kucherov finally gets his Conn Smythe.
