The Edmonton Oilers host the Florida Panthers at Rogers Place at 8:00 PM ET for Game 1 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, a blockbuster rematch of last year’s championship series. In 2024, the Panthers stormed out to a 3–0 series lead, only to be pushed to the brink by the Oilers before surviving in Game 7. Edmonton is back with revenge on their minds, while Florida seeks redemption of its own… to finally finish the job convincingly and cement their dynasty.

 

Recent Performance

Edmonton Oilers (Advanced 4–1 over the Dallas Stars)
The Oilers dominated the Western Conference Final, dispatching the Stars in five games behind the elite play of Connor McDavid (26 points in 16 games) and Leon Draisaitl (25 points in 16 games). However, Edmonton suffered a devastating blow with Zach Hyman ruled out for the series due to a season-ending injury. Hyman leads the playoffs in hits and potted 5 goals this postseason, he’s been a cornerstone on Edmonton’s power play and forecheck.

 

Florida Panthers (Advanced 4–1 over the Carolina Hurricanes)
Florida took down the Hurricanes in five games with suffocating defense and balanced scoring. Aleksander Barkov (6 goals, 11 assists) and Sam Bennett (10 goals, 6 assists) continue to drive Florida’s attack, while Sergei Bobrovsky posted elite numbers in net. The Panthers are now 8-2 on the road this postseason and have won eight of their last ten games.

 

Team Records and Trends

Edmonton Oilers

• Home Record (2025 playoffs): 6-1
• Power Play: 30%
• Penalty Kill: 88.0%
• Record vs. FLA (this season): 0-2
• 2024 Cup Final vs. FLA: Lost in 7 games

 

Florida Panthers

• Away Record (2025 playoffs): 8-2
• Power Play: 23.2
• Penalty Kill: 87.9%
• Record vs. EDM (this season): 2-0
• 2024 Cup Final vs. EDM: Won in 7 games

 

Key Players to Watch

Edmonton Oilers

• Connor McDavid – Leads all playoff skaters with 26 points. McDavid was shut down early in last year’s Final, but surged in Games 4–7. He’ll be leaned on even more with Hyman out.
• Leon Draisaitl – With 25 points and an elite playoff track record, Draisaitl will help carry the scoring load and continue his 200ft play down the ice.
• Evan Bouchard – With 17 points from the blue line he leads all defenceman in the playoffs for points, Bouchard is the engine and quarterback of Edmonton’s power play but also their transition game when 5on5.

 

Florida Panthers

• Matthew Tkachuk – The emotional and offensive leader, Tkachuk brings scoring and physicality. He had 3 points in the 2024 Final and has 16 already this spring.
• Sam Reinhart – Quietly lethal, Reinhart’s 4 goals does not indicate how he leads the Panthers on the ice, his clutch play on both ends has been critical for his team.
• Aleksander Barkov – Florida’s captain is one of the NHL’s premier shutdown forwards and will be matched up against McDavid. His ability to suppress the top lines is going to be something i specifically watch out for this series.

 

Injury Report

Edmonton Oilers

• Zach Hyman – Out (Season-ending injury)
• Connor Brown – Game-time decision (illness)

 

Florida Panthers

• A.J. Greer – Day-to-day (Undisclosed)

 

Goaltending Matchup

Edmonton Oilers
Stuart Skinner – Confirmed starter. Skinner enters the Final with 4 straight wins and growing confidence. His overall numbers 6-4-0 in 10 games with a goals against average of 2.53 and a save percentage of .904 in the 2025 playoffs. His numbers still don’t reflect how steady he’s been since Round 2. How he handles Florida’s traffic-heavy approach will be critical.

 

Florida Panthers
Sergei Bobrovsky – Confirmed starter. The veteran has been the backbone of Florida’s run again, posting a 12-5-0 record in 17 games with a goals against average of 2.11 and a save percentage of .912 in the 2025 playoffs. Bobrovsky was outstanding early in last year’s Final and will look to replicate that form.

 

Game Outlook

This rematch is richer in context than any Stanley Cup Final in recent memory. Last year’s seven-game epic has set the stage for a grudge match. The Oilers want to avenge the collapse and prove they can finish the climb. The Panthers want to silence critics and cap their third straight trip to the Final with a dominant win.

 

Florida holds the edge in experience and physicality, and plays just as great on away ice, but Edmonton’s offense remains the most explosive in the NHL, even without Hyman. Expect a physical, high-paced opener, with Game 1 historically going on to decide the Cup winner 75.6% of the time.

 

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