ESPN.com · Sep 25, 2025
Stanley Cup contender rankings: Who dethrones Panthers, Oilers?
The NHL, especially in the salary cap era, is usually defined by change and upheaval -- familiar contenders turning their rosters over, while new powers emerge in their place.
That's why it was so striking to see the same two Stanley Cup finalists -- the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers -- in back-to-back seasons, the league's first Cup rematch since 2008-09, and only the second since 1983-84. Add in Florida's appearance in the 2023 Final as well, and the NHL hasn't had fewer unique finalists over a three-year span (just three different teams) since 1954-56, when only the Detroit Red Wings and Montreal Canadiens reached the Final in those three years.