Lightning doesn't strike twice, but apparently, the Panthers do. If you were watching the handshake line at Amerant Bank Arena on June 17, 2025, you saw a bit of history that felt both inevitable and totally shocking. The Florida Panthers took down the Edmonton Oilers in six games to win the 2025 Stanley Cup.
They did it. Back-to-back.
It’s the kind of thing that makes hockey purists grumpy because "parity" is supposed to prevent this. But honestly? Florida just looked like a team that forgot how to lose when the lights got bright. After a 5-1 blowout in Game 6, the rats were flying, and Paul Maurice finally looked like he could take a nap for the first time in three years.
The Florida Panthers: How they won the Stanley Cup for 2025
Most people figured the 2024 win was their peak. You lose depth, you get a "Cup hangover," and you coast. Florida did the opposite. Bill Zito went out and grabbed Seth Jones and—in a move that made half of Canada lose their minds—trade-deadline acquisition Brad Marchand. Seeing Marchand hoist a Cup in a Panthers sweater was definitely not on anyone's 2025 bingo card, yet there he was, scoring a massive power-play goal in the final series.
The series itself was a weird one. Edmonton actually took Game 1 in overtime, and for a second, it looked like Connor McDavid might finally get his ring. Then the Panthers turned into a literal brick wall.
They outscored the Oilers 25-13 over the rest of the series.
That isn't just winning; it's a statement.
Why the Oilers fell short again
Losing the Final is brutal. Losing it to the same team two years in a row? That’s "villain origin story" territory. Edmonton played hard, but they were missing a massive piece: Zach Hyman. He had surgery for a dislocated wrist after the Western Conference Final and his absence left a hole in their top line that Leon Draisaitl couldn't fill alone, despite his 33 points in the postseason.
The Oilers spent way too much time chasing the game. They trailed 2-0 in Game 3, 3-0 in Game 4, and 5-0 in the clincher. You can't do that against Sergei Bobrovsky. You just can't.
The Sam Bennett Factor (and that Conn Smythe)
If you had Sam Bennett winning the Conn Smythe Trophy, go buy a lottery ticket. While Barkov and Tkachuk get the headlines, Bennett was the heartbeat of this run. He finished with 15 goals. 15! He actually set an NHL record with 13 road goals in a single postseason.
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He was essentially a human wrecking ball with elite finishing skills. Coach Paul Maurice described him as "hard-nosed and skilled," which is basically code for "a nightmare to play against." He wasn't just scoring; he was leading the league in hits (103) and making sure every Oilers defenseman felt it every time they went back for a puck.
Breaking down the path to the 2025 Final
Florida's road wasn't exactly a cakewalk. They had to go through a gauntlet in the East:
- They bounced the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games (the Battle of Florida is officially one-sided now).
- They survived a seven-game heart-stopper against the Toronto Maple Leafs, coming back from 2-0 and 3-2 deficits.
- They handled the Carolina Hurricanes in five.
By the time they reached the Final, they were battle-hardened. Meanwhile, Winnipeg had won the Presidents' Trophy but pulled a classic Winnipeg and vanished in the playoffs. Washington and Toronto looked strong, but Florida had that "aura." President Trump even mentioned that "aura of winning" when they visited the White House in January 2026.
The statistics that matter
Florida put up 94 goals in the 2025 playoffs. That is the highest single-year number since the 1991 Penguins. They also tied a record with 10 road wins. Basically, they didn't care where they played or who they played; they were just going to out-muscle you and out-score you.
What happens next for the champs?
Now that we know who won the Stanley Cup for 2025, the question is whether they can do the "three-peat." It sounds crazy, but they’ve made three straight Finals appearances.
The biggest hurdle? The salary cap.
Sam Bennett is a pending free agent and his price tag just went through the roof. Seth Jones and Brad Marchand aren't getting younger, though Marchand looked like he found the fountain of youth in South Florida.
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If you're looking to follow the 2025-26 season, keep an eye on:
- The Trade Market: Florida will need to shed salary to keep their core.
- The Oilers' Revenge: McDavid is entering the final year of his deal. The pressure in Edmonton is about to become a diamond-maker or a pipe-burster.
- The Salary Cap Jump: It's expected to rise, which might be the only way Florida keeps this group together.
The Panthers are the first team to repeat since Tampa Bay in 2020-2021. They’ve turned Sunrise, Florida into a hockey town, which still feels weird to say, but the rings don't lie.
Next Steps for Hockey Fans:
Check the current NHL standings to see if the Panthers' "Cup hangover" has finally kicked in for the 2026 season, or if they're currently on track for a historic third consecutive title. Also, keep a close watch on the unrestricted free agency (UFA) news for Sam Bennett; his decision will likely dictate the power balance of the Atlantic Division for the next three years.