The Florida Panthers cemented their place among NHL dynasties by winning consecutive Stanley Cups, defeating the Edmonton Oilers 5-1 in Game 6 of the 2025 finals. This accomplishment puts them in the company of elite teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning. Their potent offense and staunch defense fueled their postseason dominance.
Opening championship odds are usually not all that creative, so it’s not a surprise to see the two finalists for the last two years open as the favorites for next year’s Stanley Cup. The Florida Panthers just beat the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final for the second year in a row, but it’s the Oilers that open as the favorite ahead of the Panthers to claim the Cup in 2026.
The Oilers are +650 on BetMGM, with the Panthers next at +750. As it was throughout the playoffs, the odds remain tight at the top. The Colorado Avalanche (+800), Dallas Stars (+850) and Carolina Hurricanes (+900) aren’t far behind the top two.
Marchand, 37, was a driving force behind the Panthers' Stanley Cup win. He had 10 goals and 10 assists in 23 games, skating a plus-17 with linemates Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen. While he didn't score in Game 6, Marchand had six goals in six games in the Stanley Cup Final with two game-winning goals.
"He's been a big-game player his whole career. In 2011, he was arguably our best player," said Shawn Thornton, Marchand's teammate on the Bruins who is now a business executive for the Panthers. "I wasn't surprised to see the magic he was making. I don't think the age thing is in his head."
Marchand spent 16 NHL seasons with the Bruins until a contract extension impasse led to an NHL trade deadline move to the Panthers. It was a surreal moment for Marchand and the Panthers, as Florida had eliminated the Bruins from the 2023 and 2024 playoffs. Last postseason, Panthers center Sam Bennett injured Marchand with a sucker punch. On Tuesday night, they skated with the Stanley Cup as teammates.
Just minutes later, Reinhart scored his fourth goal of the night on an empty net again. He's just the sixth player in NHL history to have four goals in a single game in the Stanley Cup Final, and the first since 1957. Vasily Podkolzin finally broke the shutout for the Oilers shortly after that goal with a quick one of his own, but it came way too late. The Panthers simply rode it out the rest of the way to secure their victory.
Furthermore, this back-to-back victory demonstrates not only skill but also strategic acumen from coaching staff and management. The Panthers' ability to maintain consistency while adapting to challenges throughout the playoffs reflects a well-rounded approach that is essential for sustained success in professional sports . As they celebrate this historic achievement, fans and analysts alike will undoubtedly look forward to how this momentum will influence future seasons.
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