The Florida Panthers are Back to Back Champs (6/22/2025)




Anyone with eyes could see this coming from a mile away. After the drubbing they received in Game 3, Edmonton found a way to come back and win in dramatic fashion in Game 4. However, the magic ran out at this point. Games 5 and 6 felt like formalities at points. Edmonton wasn't getting out of the wet paper bag the Panthers had turned the neutral zone into in either game. There was no gas left in the tank for anyone on Edmonton in Game 6, and other than the first five minutes or so they looked defeated. Florida was too good. Too much depth, too much neutral zone control. The way they closed gaps was masterful. Bob was sparkling, improving steadily all playoffs long, his career culminating in these final two wins. The man, who had bounced between mediocre Philadephia and Columbus teams, was now a back to back Cup champ. Brad Marchand earned his second Cup ring. The Tkachuk family adds another to their mantle which is quickly expanding. Sam Bennett, of all people, won the Conn Smythe. Then he took it to a Broward County cat rescue to give the place some extra publicity which will hopefully aid in adopting out the kitties. Guys like Nate Schmidt and Seth Jones finally get their names etched into Lord Stanley to be remembered forever. It was quite the run, and love or hate the Panthers, they earned the win. Maurice was great at adjusting and shutting down Edmonton's two headed monster to help his team repeat.
Edmonton experienced some bad injury luck that exposed how lopsided their lineup was. It was noticeable the instant Hyman got injured that the team stood little chance of winning. Hyman added much to the team that could not be replaced. Edmonton just could not match Florida's depth. At any given point Florida had what amounted to two first lines and a second line that could also be considered a first line. It reminded me of the Penguins in 2016. Scoring by committee, with the HBK line being good enough to be seen as equal to the Crosby line. Hagelin and Bonino really got the most out of Phil during that run. You keep those kinds of players, you repeat, as the Penguins, Lightning, and Panthers have all recently shown us. Edmonton is going to have a difficult time in the offseason. Connor McDavid's contract is up at the end of the 2026 season and it seems there has been little movement from his camp. They are a team built similarly to the Maple Leafs, having a ton of money locked up in just a handful of forwards. Perhaps McDavid will take a discount, as Crosby has his entire career, to keep his team competitive. Perhaps he will move on. The best player in the world can find work in any market he moves to. Personally, I don't see him leaving as he probably wants to finish out his career with Draisaitl on his wing and the prestige of being an Edmonton Oiler. If he surprises us all I could see him trying his hand in another Canadian market, likely the Leafs or the Jets.
What a memorable finals. So much talent on display, so much skill, speed, dazzling stick work, and so many windmill dekes and slapshot goals. So much violence, so many fights, so much beautiful brutality. The men (and women) that play this sport are quite clearly crazy-people, but I respect and admire them. They fight through so much adversity for a chance to win the hardest trophy in sports to win, and only the very, very best are able to repeat that feat two seasons in a row. Here's to the Panthers winning another (unless of course the Pens make a return to the playoffs next season), and here's wondering if they will be considered a dynasty come this time next year.