2025 NHL Postseason: Conference Finals Review & Stanley Cup Preview

Florida defeats Carolina, 4-1

Series Recap: What started as an interesting matchup and rematch from two seasons ago quickly turned into one team steamrolling its way to the Stanley Cup Final. The Panthers' experience was on display against a Hurricanes team that ran its way through two division rivals. They flexed their muscles by winning both games in Raleigh to take a 2-0 series lead back home. The Canes showed a lot of fight in Game 3, sitting tied after two periods before the floodgates opened and Florida took a commanding 3-0 advantage. The Hurricanes responded by shutting out the Cats on the road in Game 4, preventing a sweep behind a 20-save performance from Frederik Andersen. The Canes looked like they were in a good spot in Game 5, leading 2-0 after a pair of Sebastian Aho goals. Instead, Florida blitzed them for three goals in the second period and a late Carter Verhaeghe goal in the third to put the series away and claim their third straight Prince of Wales Trophy.

The Turning Point: The Hurricanes tried to change their mojo in Game 3, sending out Pyotr Kochetkov in Frederik Andersen's place. Through two periods, the Canes were in a good spot after a solid 40 minutes from Kochetkov and a tying goal by Logan Stankoven. At 1-1, the Canes were building a series. Instead, the Panthers stormed into the third period and scored five unanswered goals in the first half of the period, leading 6-1 on their way to a 6-2 victory. Instead of drawing closer in the series, the Canes fell behind 3-0 and sealed their inevitable fate.

Series Houdini: Dmitry Orlov (0 points, -4 in 5 games)

There are plenty of Hurricanes who disappeared in this series. The trio of Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis, and Andrei Svechnikov combined for six of the team's ten goals and 14 points. The Canes' defense was brutal, led by the misfortunes of Dmitry Orlov. He was a liability all series long, including a brutal Game 3 performance.

Series MVP: Sam Bennett (4 goals, 3 assists in 5 games)

Just as several Hurricanes disappeared, there's more than a handful of Panthers worthy of the series MVP. I've settled on Sam Bennett after leading the Panthers in goals (4) and tying with three others for the team lead in points (7). Bennett's big game was Game 3, when he scored twice, including a goal on the power play, and added an assist in a 5-0 victory. Bennett recorded points in each of Florida's four victories, finishing the series with the empty-net goal in Game 5.

Edmonton defeats Dallas, 4-1

Series Recap: The second verse was the same as the first, as the Oilers dismantled the Stars to claim their second straight conference title. Dallas looked to be in a good spot after Game 1. Despite trailing 3-1 after 40 minutes, the Stars scored five times in the third period to run past the Oilers and take Game 1. After that, it was all Edmonton. Stuart Skinner rebounded in Game 2 to shut out the Stars, kickstarting four straight victories. Once the series shifted to Edmonton, the Oilers outscored the Stars 10-2 in Games 3 and 4. Game 5 will be remembered as Pete DeBoer's biggest mishap of the series. After Edmonton scored twice in the first period, DeBoer lifted Jake Oettinger for Casey DeSmith. The move backfired immediately. The Stars worked their way back into the game before falling short in their comeback bid, but there was no reason for DeBoer to abandon his starting goalie so quickly.

The Turning Point: Dallas' big comeback win in Game 1 could've ruined Stuart Skinner's momentum after a solid ending to the Vegas series. Instead, he turned in a masterful performance in Game 2, stopping all 25 shots he faced from the Stars in a 3-0 victory. Skinner conceded five goals through the end of the series, including one each in Edmonton's wins at home. Skinner finished the series with a .924 save percentage in five games. If not for his work in Game 2, the Oilers wouldn't have breezed to the Stanley Cup final.

Series Houdini: Matt Duchene (1 goal, -7 in 5 games)

Matt Duchene played a role in Dallas' comeback victory in Game 1, scoring the go-ahead goal on the power play less than six minutes into the third period. After that, he vanished into thin air. Duchene failed to provide anything else for the Stars in the series, finishing a series-worst -7 with next to nothing happening offensively.

Series MVP: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (2 goals, 7 assists in 5 games)

Once again, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl were among the points leaders in the series, but one more man joined them. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins tied for the team lead with seven assists and nine points for the Oilers. Nugent-Hopkins had multiple points in each of the first four games, scoring a goal and an assist in Games 1 and 2 before adding three primary assists in Game 3 and two more in Game 4. All seven of his assists directly led to Edmonton goals, making him directly accountable for nine of their 22 goals. 

Stanley Cup Preview

Florida Panthers vs. Edmonton Oilers

Florida's Path: Defeated Tampa Bay 4-1, Defeated Toronto 4-3, and Defeated Carolina 4-1.

Edmonton's Path: Defeated Los Angeles 4-2, Defeated Vegas 4-1, and Defeated Dallas 4-1.

Last Season's Final: It appeared as if the Panthers had the Stanley Cup all but won through three games. They won both games on home ice convincingly by three goals before taking Game 3 in Edmonton, 4-3. Up 3-0 in the series, they were virtual locks. However, Edmonton's offense came to life. Facing elimination, the Oilers outscored the Panthers 18-5 in Games 4 through 6 to send the Stanley Cup Final to a winner-take-all Game 7. Late in the second period, Sam Reinhart broke a 1-1 tie, and that's all the Panthers needed. Florida secured its first Stanley Cup with a 2-1 Game 7 victory.

Regular Season: The Panthers swept the two meetings this season, winning each by one goal. Sergei Bobrovsky and Stuart Skinner were combatants for both matchups. The two met in Edmonton in mid-December in a high-scoring affair. The Oilers led 4-2 midway through the second period before Florida rattled off three straight goals to take a 5-4 lead under 7:30 into the third. Kasperi Kapanen scored 39 seconds later to tie the game, but Carter Verhaeghe scored with 6:55 left to win, 6-5. During the return trip to Sunrise at the end of February, the game was back and forth. Through two periods, Edmonton responded to each goal Florida scored. Midway through the third, Nate Schmidt and Verhaeghe scored just under three minutes apart to take a 4-2 lead. Zach Hyman scored late to pull within one, but Florida held on for a 4-3 victory.

Anton Lundell (1 goal, 4 assists), Carter Verhaeghe (2 goals, 1 assist), Sam Reinhart (1 goal, 2 assists)

Connor McDavid (4 assists), Leon Draisaitl (2 goals, 1 assist), Zach Hyman (3 goals)

Why Edmonton Could Win: If the Oilers turned one of the first three games into a win last season, they'd be the team defending their crown. Having two of the best players in the world is a major advantage, but Edmonton's depth has pulled through for them this postseason. Corey Perry has seven goals. Connor Brown has five. Stuart Skinner has turned it around after a tough start. There's no denying they're a top-heavy team. Connor McDavid leads the NHL with 20 assists and 26 points. Leon Draisaitl is right behind him with 25 points. If Edmonton's depth stays present and producing, they might break the curse. 

Why Florida Could Repeat: Speaking of depth, the Panthers have gotten production from everyone across the board. Only one skater who has appeared in a game hasn't recorded a point (Nico Sturm- 0 points in 8 games). Ten players have at least ten points, led by their captain, Aleksander Barkov (17). Sam Bennett leads the league with ten goals. Their balanced attack has given all three of their opponents fits. Sergei Bobrovsky has helped in that area, too. He's only allowed 12 goals over his last nine starts with a .944 save percentage, going back to Game 4 against Toronto. This team looks even more dangerous than the group that prevailed a year ago.

Prediction: This might be one of the most evenly matched Stanley Cup Finals we've seen in a while. Both teams have made quick works of their three opponents in dominant fashion. This was my preseason and midseason prediction for the Cup, so ignore all of the other changes I made along the way. I picked Edmonton to win in seven games. I might as well go down with the ship. The Oilers came so close last season to winning it all. The series beginning in Edmonton might be the difference. If the Oilers can avoid going down 0-2 like they did last season, they should be in a good spot. This is going to be an incredible series.