The Florida Panthers are Stanley Cup champions for the first time in franchise history, following a nail-biting 4–3 win over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. In a matchup that will be remembered as one of the most thrilling Game 7s in recent NHL history, the Panthers held off a furious third-period comeback to claim hockey’s ultimate prize on home ice at Amerant Bank Arena.
The win marks a historic moment for the Panthers, who were founded in 1993 and had previously reached the Final just twice before—most recently in 2023, when they fell short to the Vegas Golden Knights.
A Back-and-Forth Battle
Game 7 lived up to the hype with end-to-end action, momentum swings, and standout performances from both teams. Florida jumped out to an early 2–0 lead in the first period thanks to goals from Matthew Tkachuk and Carter Verhaeghe. Edmonton responded with a power-play goal from Connor McDavid early in the second period, cutting the deficit in half and igniting hopes of a Canadian championship.
But Florida extended their lead to 4–1 with goals from Aleksander Barkov and Gustav Forsling, capitalizing on defensive lapses and strong offensive zone pressure. Just when the game appeared out of reach, the Oilers surged back with two goals in quick succession—Zach Hyman on a deflection and Leon Draisaitl with a laser from the slot—making it a one-goal game midway through the third.
Despite relentless pressure from the Oilers in the final minutes, Florida goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky stood tall, making a series of spectacular saves to preserve the victory and earn the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.
Panthers Make History
With the win, the Panthers become the third team in NHL history to win their first Stanley Cup in a Game 7, joining the 2004 Tampa Bay Lightning and the 1974 Philadelphia Flyers. The victory is a culmination of years of rebuilding, bold trades, and strategic coaching by Paul Maurice, who finally gets his name etched on the Cup after two decades behind the bench.
“This is for all the fans who waited so long, all the players who battled through injuries, and everyone who believed in this team,” said captain Aleksander Barkov, hoisting the Stanley Cup to a deafening roar from the home crowd. “We made history tonight.”
Oilers Fall Just Short
For Edmonton, the loss ends a magical playoff run and delays Canada’s long wait for a Stanley Cup title—now stretching back to 1993. Despite stellar play from McDavid, who led all scorers throughout the postseason, and a resilient group that battled back from a 3–0 series deficit to force Game 7, the Oilers came up just short.
“We gave it everything,” said McDavid after the game. “We believed we could do it. It hurts, but we’ll be back.”
Looking Ahead
With a young, talented core and newfound championship experience, the Panthers have positioned themselves as a serious contender for years to come. As the celebrations continue in South Florida, the rest of the hockey world watches in admiration—and perhaps a little envy—as the Panthers savor their first-ever Stanley Cup.
