Sunrise, Fla. — The Stanley Cup is staying in South Florida.
The Florida Panthers cemented their place in hockey history Tuesday night, defeating the Edmonton Oilers 5–1 in Game 6 to win their second consecutive Stanley Cup. Florida becomes the NHL’s first repeat champion since the Tampa Bay Lightning pulled it off in 2020 and 2021, and only the third team this century to go back-to-back.
Sam Reinhart delivered a performance for the ages, scoring four goals — a feat not seen in the Cup Final since Maurice Richard did it in 1957. As Reinhart completed his hat trick, a storm of hats and the Panthers’ signature plastic rats rained down from the stands.
Matthew Tkachuk, one of the franchise’s emotional and on-ice leaders, fittingly netted the goal that sealed the title. As the final seconds ticked away, more rats hit the ice, and the Panthers bench emptied in celebration, swarming the corner while the Oilers looked on in disappointment.
“It feels like we just did this,” said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, addressing the roaring crowd before handing the Stanley Cup to captain Aleksander Barkov.
Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky was once again a pillar of consistency, stopping 28 of 29 shots. The Oilers’ lone goal came from Vasily Podkolzin during the waning minutes — long after the game, and series, had been decided.
The Panthers controlled the series with relentless pressure, stifling defense, and timely offense, spending more time in the lead during the Final than any team in NHL history — 255 minutes and 49 seconds.
“This one feels just as sweet,” said Reinhart. “We kept our foot on the gas. We’ve learned how to close out like champions.”
Florida’s current run rivals any modern dynasty. Since acquiring Tkachuk and hiring head coach Paul Maurice in 2022, the Panthers have reached three straight Finals and won two. They’ve claimed 11 of 12 playoff series in that span.
“We’ve got to be considered a dynasty now,” Tkachuk said. “Three finals, two Cups — this group is something special.”
The only blemish on that stretch was a Finals loss to Vegas in 2023, when several key players battled through major injuries. This time around, they were healthier — and deeper.
Florida’s deadline acquisitions, Brad Marchand and Seth Jones, added punch and poise. Marchand scored six times in the Final, while Sam Bennett led all postseason scorers with 15 goals. Bennett’s dominance earned him the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.
Barkov, after receiving the Cup from Bettman, handed it off to veteran Nate Schmidt, celebrating his first-ever championship. “I don’t even know if I should laugh or cry,” Schmidt said, beaming.
The Panthers’ team-wide depth overwhelmed Edmonton’s stars, including Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Despite McDavid’s efforts and seven points in the series, he was continually frustrated by the Panthers’ forecheck and the defensive pairing of Jones and Barkov. Edmonton changed goaltenders multiple times in the series, with Stuart Skinner returning for Game 6 — only to falter under Florida’s relentless attack.
“They’re champions for a reason,” said McDavid. “We didn’t quit, but that’s a great hockey team over there.”
Canada’s Cup drought now extends to 31 straight seasons, with the last Canadian winner being the Montreal Canadiens in 1993. U.S. Sun Belt teams, meanwhile, have captured five of the past six championships — including four by Florida-based franchises.
Florida’s postseason path went through Tampa Bay (five games), Toronto (seven), Carolina (five), and Edmonton (six), showing a team hitting its stride at the perfect time. Paul Maurice, now a two-time Cup winner, trails only Scotty Bowman in all-time games coached.
Marchand added another chapter to his storied career, lifting the Cup 14 years after his first with the Boston Bruins in 2011 — the third-longest gap between championships in NHL history.
“This moment, this team — it’s hard to describe how good it feels,” Marchand said. “Seeing my family up there, thinking about everyone who helped me get here… it’s overwhelming. This group is unbelievable.”
