The Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers are set to face off once more in the Stanley Cup Final, a significant cross-continental battle between the NHL`s two remaining teams.
Florida aims to secure consecutive championships, while Edmonton captain Connor McDavid is striving for his first career Stanley Cup victory. Game 1 is scheduled for Wednesday night in Edmonton.
Key Statistics for the Series
11: Rematch History
This marks the 11th time in league history that the same two teams have met in the Stanley Cup Final in back-to-back seasons. The last such instance was in 2009 between Pittsburgh and Detroit. Interestingly, in many previous rematches, the outcome from the previous year has flipped.
3: Panthers` Consecutive Final Appearances
The Panthers have reached the Final for the third year in a row, mirroring the feat of their cross-state rivals, the Tampa Bay Lightning, from 2020 to 2022. Under Coach Paul Maurice and since acquiring Matthew Tkachuk in the summer of 2022, Florida boasts an impressive playoff record, winning 10 out of 11 series.
Scoring Leaders: McDavid & Draisaitl
Edmonton`s dynamic duo, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, lead the playoff scoring race with 26 and 25 points respectively. This is their seventh playoff campaign together, and they have consistently been top offensive threats, ranking first and second in total playoff points among all players since their debuts in 2017. The only missing achievement is the Stanley Cup.
Goaltending Matchup: Bobrovsky vs. Skinner
Sergei Bobrovsky has been crucial in backstopping the Panthers to the Final again, posting a 12-5 record with a 2.11 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage through three rounds. For the Oilers, Stuart Skinner regained his starting position in the second round after initially struggling. Since returning, Skinner has performed strongly, going 6-2 with a 1.73 GAA and a .931 save percentage.
2,543 Miles: The Longest Distance
The distance separating Sunrise, Florida, and Edmonton, Alberta, is approximately 2,543 miles (4,092 kilometers). For the second consecutive year, this represents the longest travel distance between Stanley Cup finalists in NHL history. The significant travel poses a challenge, particularly for Game 5, which occurs without an extra travel day after Game 4.
