The Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers are set for a rematch in the Stanley Cup Final, bringing together the final two teams remaining in the NHL season from opposite ends of the continent.
The Panthers are striving for consecutive championships, while Oilers captain Connor McDavid seeks his first career Stanley Cup. Game 1 is scheduled for Wednesday night in Edmonton.
Let`s examine the series using key statistics:
11: This marks the 11th time in league history the Stanley Cup Final is a rematch, and the first since 2009 (Pittsburgh vs. Detroit). Previous rematches, like Edmonton vs. NY Islanders in 1984, have often seen the previous year`s outcome reversed. Other post-1967 expansion rematches include Montreal`s sweeps of Boston (1977, `78) and St. Louis (1968, `69).
3: Florida makes its third straight appearance in the Final, a feat previously achieved by in-state rival Tampa Bay (2020-22). Tampa Bay won the first two of their three consecutive trips before losing the third. Under coach Paul Maurice and since acquiring Matthew Tkachuk in summer 2022, the Panthers have an impressive 10-1 record in playoff series.
51: As of now, Connor McDavid (26 points) and Leon Draisaitl (25 points) top the playoff scoring charts. This is their seventh postseason playing together, and sixth consecutively. Since first appearing in the playoffs in 2017, they rank first (McDavid, 143 points) and second (Draisaitl, 133 points) in total playoff scoring among all players in that span. The only missing piece is the Stanley Cup itself.
2.11: Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has been key to the Panthers` return to the Final, posting a 12-5 record with a 2.11 goals-against average and .912 save percentage in the previous rounds. Edmonton`s Stuart Skinner faced challenges early, losing his starting role but regaining it due to injury. Since returning, Skinner`s performance has improved significantly, with a 6-2 record, 1.73 GAA, and .931 save percentage.
2,543: The distance of 2,543 miles (4,092 kilometers) separating Sunrise, Florida, and Edmonton, Alberta, sets a record for the longest distance between Stanley Cup finalists for the second consecutive year. This roughly six-hour flight presents a unique challenge, particularly when traveling back to Edmonton for Game 5 without an extra day off after Game 4.
Tristan Blackwood