Sixteen teams started the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs with aspirations of lifting the coveted trophy, but now only two formidable contenders remain. For the second consecutive year, the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers are set to face off in hockey`s ultimate championship series, the Stanley Cup Final.
Will this highly anticipated rematch see the Oilers complete their quest and bring the Cup back to Edmonton for the first time since 1990? Or will the Panthers successfully defend their title, potentially establishing a new era of dominance in South Florida?
Respected analysts and commentators from the hockey community have considered both potential outcomes and have provided their predictions for the series winner:
- Sean Allen: Panthers in six
- Blake Bolden: Oilers in seven
- John Buccigross: Oilers in seven
- Ryan Callahan: Oilers in six
- Cassie Campbell-Pascall: Oilers in seven
- Sachin Chandan: Oilers in six
- Meghan Chayka: Oilers in seven
- Ryan S. Clark: Oilers in seven
- Rachel Doerrie: Panthers in six
- Emily Kaplan: Oilers in seven
- Tim Kavanagh: Oilers in six
- Peter Lawrence-Riddell: Panthers in six
- Steve Levy: Oilers in seven
- Vince Masi: Oilers in five
- Victoria Matiash: Panthers in seven
- Sean McDonough: Oilers in seven
- Mark Messier: Oilers in seven
- AJ Mleczko: Panthers in six
- Arda Öcal: Oilers in six
- Kristen Shilton: Panthers in seven
- John Thoering: Panthers in seven
- Bob Wischusen: Panthers in seven
- Greg Wyshynski: Panthers in six
Consensus Pick: The majority of experts predict the Oilers will win the series (14 out of 23 picks).
Rupert Hartwell 
Benedict Kingsley