What started out as one of the most exciting and tightly matched Stanley Cup Finals in recent memory turned out to be anything but.

Ultimately, the Florida Panthers took down the Edmonton Oilers in six games to win their second straight Stanley Cup.

It was an extremely entertaining series that had fans at the edge of their seats. Well, at least the first few games did.

The series started with back-to-back overtime epics in Edmonton, the first of which was won by the home team thanks to a Leon Draisaitl power play goal and the second went to Florida after Brad Marchand scored on a breakaway in double overtime.

Game 4 also required more than 60 minutes, and once again it was Draisaitl who ended it, breaking a Stanley Cup Playoff record for overtime goals in the process with his fourth of the postseason.

Florida ended up winning three of four to close out the series, and each of those three victories came by multiple goals.

They won Game 3 in Sunrise 6-1, took Game 5 in Edmonton 5-2 and then ended things back on home ice in Game 6 by a 5-1 final score.

It gets better.

The Panthers held a lead over Edmonton for 255 minutes and 49 seconds. That represents over 61% of the Stanley Cup Final.

Conversely, Edmonton held a lead on Florida for 33 minutes and 51 seconds. That represents just over 8% of the series.

In their Cup-clinching Game 6 win, the Panthers scored 4:36 into the game and held the lead throughout. It was a very fitting way for the series to end.

Special teams was also an area that Florida found success during the Final.

The Panthers converted on 30.4% of their power plays, scoring seven goals against Edmonton while on the man advantage.

Then there was the Cats’ penalty kill, which proved to be incredibly effective against an extremely potent Oilers power play.

Florida finished the series with an 82.6% success rate while on the penalty kill.

That’s saying something, especially when taking into account that the Oilers’ power play was rocking at a 30.0% success rate entering the Stanley Cup Final.

So as we wrap up the Fourth of July holiday weekend here in South Florida, it felt like a good time to take a look back and appreciate the exclamation point that the Panthers ended their season with.

And that doesn’t even include what Florida GM Bill Zito pulled off about a week later when he found a way to re-sign Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad AND Brad Marchand.

Good times, indeed.

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Photo caption: Jun 14, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Florida Panthers celebrate forward Eetu Luostarinen (27) goal during the third period against the Edmonton Oilers in game five of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place. (Perry Nelson-Imagn Images)