Sequel: 2025 Stanley Cup Final Preview

Second verse, same as first.

After a wild NHL season where 32 teams played for the same hopes and the same goal, it all comes down to just two teams. And after all of the dust settled, it's the same two teams as last year. For the first time since 2009, we have a repeat Stanley Cup Final, as the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers will again battle it out in the ultimate series for the right to hoist Lord Stanley's Cup. I have a feeling that this will top last year; sequels usually surpass the originals.

So let's take a look at the two teams battling it out in this year's Final:

Florida Panthers

It's official: the state of Florida has become this generation's equivalent of what the province of Alberta was back in the 80s. Between 1983 and 1990, Alberta was represented every year in the Stanley Cup Final; with the Oilers reaching in six of those eight years, while the Flames reached in 1986 and 1989. The Florida Panthers' appearance marks the sixth straight year that the Sunshine State is represented in the Final, and for the Panthers, this is their third straight Cup Final appearance.

Per usual, captain Aleksandar Barkov has been leading the way for the Panthers, racking up 17 points (6G/11A) in 17 games. In net, Sergei Bobrovsky is 12-5 with a 2.11 GAA, a .912 SV%, and three shutouts. If the Panthers go on to win the Cup again, one has to believe that Bobrovsky would be the favorite to win the Conn Smythe Trophy.

As stated earlier, the Panthers are in the Cup Final for the third straight year, and overall, this is their fourth appearance. The Panthers defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games (Atlantic Semifinals), the Toronto Maple Leafs in seven (Atlantic Final) and the Carolina Hurricanes in five games (East Final). If the Panthers repeat, it will mark the first time that a team's first two Cups were won back-to-back since the Pittsburgh Penguins' set of B2B Cups in 1991 and 1992.

Edmonton Oilers

Remember when the Oilers were having trouble winning games in February and March? Remember when so many (myself included) said "first round exit" as the Oilers were closing in on a playoff spot? Remember when the Oilers were down 2-0 against LA and we were crazy enough to actually think that the Oilers were close to being done? Pepperidge Farm remembers. So did the Oilers. It's happened again, folks. An Oilers team that looked to be dead and on the receiving end of more ridicule pulls a bunch of rabbits out of their hat, and lo and behold, the Oilers are now four wins away from winning the whole thing.

The Oilers are in the Stanley Cup Final for the second straight year; the last time that a Canadian team reached back-to-back Finals since the old dynasty Oilers in the late 80s. Overall, this is the Oilers' ninth appearance in the Cup Final, and their third since the dynasty ended. The Oilers defeated the Los Angeles Kings (again) in six games (Pacific Semifinals), defeated the Vegas Golden Knights in five games (Pacific Final), and ousted the Dallas Stars in five games (West Final).

Per usual, the two-headed monster of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are leading the way. McDavid leads with 26 points (6G/20A), while Draisaitl enteres the Final with 25 points (7G/18A). Both are excellent candidates for the Conn Smythe, and it could be whether the Oilers win or not, similar to last year when McDavid took the Conn Smythe for his near record-breaking postseason.

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Some trivial notes. As mentioned before, this is the first repeat Cup Final matchup since 2009. Back then, it was the Detroit Red Wings and the Pittsburgh Penguins facing off, but while the Wings won the 2008 Final, 2009 went to the Penguins. This is the eighth time that a Canadian team has reached the Final during this current drought, and it's the first time that a Canadian team will have home-ice advantage in the Final since 2011. For Corey Perry, this is his fifth Final appearance in six years with his fourth different team; he's still looking for that second ring.

Regarding telecasts, this year's Stanley Cup Final will air on TNT and TruTV here in the U.S., their second Final in this current arrangement with ESPN. Of course, Sportsnet will have it in Canada. This will be an amazing final; it's the rematch, the sequel. I am very excited for this year's Cup Final, it will be a fascinating finale to this wild NHL season!