The 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs were a redemption saga for the Florida Panthers, and they’ve now completed that mission in spectacular fashion.
For the first time in franchise history, the Florida Panthers are Stanley Cup champions. They clinched the title with a nail-biting 2-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in a winner-take-all Game 7 on Monday night in Sunrise, sending the Florida faithful at Amerant Bank Arena into raptures.
There are no two more thrilling words in sports than “Game 7” — and tonight, the hockey world was treated to a classic. The game began in chaotic fashion, with Carter Verhaeghe lighting the lamp for the Panthers less than five minutes into the first period. Just two minutes later, Mattias Janmark responded for the Oilers, tying the game and setting the stage for a dramatic showdown.
The game’s pivotal moment came in the second period, courtesy of Sam Reinhart. The Panthers’ 57-goal scorer from the regular season unleashed a wicked shot that beat Stuart Skinner’s glove, giving Florida a crucial 2-1 lead. Despite a relentless push from the Oilers in the third period, Sergei Bobrovsky and the Florida defense held firm, stifling Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Edmonton’s high-octane offense.
The Oilers fell just short of making history. After trailing 3-0 in the series, Connor McDavid and his squad did the unthinkable by winning three straight games to keep their championship dreams alive. Only four teams in NHL history have come back from a 3-0 playoff deficit, and it’s only happened once in the Stanley Cup Final. The Oilers were aiming to become the fifth and the first since the 1942 Maple Leafs, but their valiant effort ended one game short.
In a bittersweet twist, Connor McDavid earned the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP, becoming only the sixth player in NHL history to win the award in a losing effort. McDavid finished the postseason with 42 points, the fourth-highest total in a single playoff run. While there was a strong case for Sergei Bobrovsky, the Florida netminder is undoubtedly happy to take home the Stanley Cup over the MVP honor.
So, hats off to the Panthers for their historic victory and to the Oilers for their incredible resilience. It was a Stanley Cup Final for the ages, with drama, redemption, and a dash of heartbreak.
Oilers vs. Panthers final score
| 1 | 2 | 3 | F | |
| Oilers | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Panthers | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
Oilers vs. Panthers series schedule
| Date | Game/Result | Time (ET) | TV channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat., June 8 | Game 1: Panthers 3, Oilers 0 | — | ABC, Fubo |
| Mon., June 10 | Game 2: Panthers 4, Oilers 1 | — | ABC, Fubo |
| Thurs., June 13 | Game 3: Panthers 4, Oilers 3 | — | ABC, Fubo |
| Sat., June 15 | Game 4: Oilers 8, Panthers 1 | — | ABC, Fubo |
| Tues., June 18 | Game 5: Oilers 5, Panthers, 3 | — | ABC, Fubo |
| Fri., June 21 | Game 6: Oilers 5, Panthers, 1 | — | ABC, Fubo |
| Mon., June 24 | Game 7: Oilers at Panthers | 8 p.m. | ABC, Fubo |
