The Florida Panthers, the reigning Stanley Cup champions, are aiming to become just the third team in the salary cap era to win consecutive titles as they host the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final on Tuesday. Having triumphed over Edmonton in a seven-game series last year to capture their first-ever championship, the Panthers now lead the current rematch series 3-2 after a commanding 5-2 win in Game 5, with standout performances from Brad Marchand and Sam Bennett, who leads the playoffs with 15 goals.
Marchand has been a dominant force, scoring six goals in the first five games of the series, putting him among the elite in NHL history for goals in the finals. Meanwhile, Bennett’s recent goal-scoring surge highlights the Panthers’ offensive depth. The Oilers, led by Conor McDavid and Corey Perry, continue to fight back, aiming to prevent Florida from joining the legendary 2016-17 Penguins and 2020-21 Lightning in winning back-to-back Stanley Cups under the salary cap system.
Key player bets for the final game include Sam Bennett as a reliable goal scorer, Evan Rodriguez likely to contribute assists, Corey Perry to add points, and Anton Landell expected to continue his points streak. These players’ performances could influence the outcome of this high-stakes showdown, which also sees Edmonton striving to become the first Canadian team since 1993 to claim the Stanley Cup.
Fan Take: This game isn’t just about a championship—it’s a showdown that could cement Florida’s legacy in the modern NHL era while reviving the excitement of Canadian hockey fans hopeful for a historic win. For hockey enthusiasts, the intense rivalry and remarkable individual performances are a thrilling reminder of why the Stanley Cup remains the sport’s ultimate prize.