The Florida Panthers have won their second consecutive Stanley Cup after defeating the Edmonton Oilers in the National Hockey League finals for the second year in a row.
The Panthers defeated the Oilers 5-1 in Game 6 to win the best-of-seven series, four games to two. It was the third straight appearance in the NHL Stanley Cup finals for the Panthers, with the only loss coming in 2023 to the Las Vegas Golden Knights, four games to one.
The Panthers were led by a trio of stars.
Center Sam Reinhart scored four goals in the clinching game. He was the first player since 1957 to accomplish such a feat, and only the sixth player in NHL history, according to the Associated Press.
Panthers forward Sam Bennett scored 15 goals in the NHL postseason and was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner, given to the most valuable player in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, reported ESPN.
Sergei Bobrovsky’s steady goaltending anchored the team. A three-time NHL All-Star and two-time Vezina Trophy winner, the award given to the NHL’s best goaltender, he stopped 28 of 29 shots in the deciding game.
It was a historic win for the franchise. The fans in attendance knew they had something special as the Panthers dominated from the start of the game. During the game’s last two minutes, the crowd grew into a frenzy, realizing victory was certain. They began to chant, “We want the Cup!” as time began to expire.
“Good evening, South Florida,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said during the Stanley Cup trophy award presentation ceremony after the game. “It feels like we just did this.”
ONE BIG, BEAUTIFUL BENEFIT FOR EVERYONE
Reinhart touted his team’s focus on winning the Cup as a key to their victory. He was elated with the latest championship win.
“This is as good as the first one,” said Reinhart. “We learned some lessons. We stayed on the gas, foot on the pedal, and obviously the result speaks for itself.”