What Happened the Last Time There Was a Stanley Cup Finals Rematch

The 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs are reaching their conclusion, and a familiar clash could be just around the corner. The reigning champion Florida Panthers have reached the finals in each of the last two seasons, losing as a wildcard to the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023 before bouncing back with a maiden championship last season. They hold a 3-0 lead in the conference finals against the Carolina Hurricanes, and they look all but guaranteed to become the seventh team in history to reach three straight showpiece series. 

Rematch for the Ages

Out west, the Edmonton Oilers are looking to repeat Florida's exploits. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl led the Canadian outfit to the finals for the first time in 18 years last term, but just like in 2006, that ended in a defeat in seven. This year, they are looking to follow in the Panthers' footsteps by reaching the Finals for the second straight year and securing their redemption. 

To do that, though, it looks as though they will have to beat the Cats, something they couldn't do in 2024. Courtesy of their 3-0 conference finals lead, the reigning champions have been made the betting favorites to secure a second straight title this year. The latest hockey betting odds price the Panthers as an even-money frontrunner for this year's Stanley Cup, with Edmonton just behind at +160. 

Much like their nemesis, the Oilers also hold a conference finals lead, albeit a much more slender one. They are currently 2-1 up against the Dallas Stars and while they are heavily favored to progress, the series is far from over. 

Last Year's Showdown 

Last year’s clash between the two was an absolute thriller. It looked as though the Stanley Cup would be heading to Miami at a canter when the Panthers raced into a 3-0 series lead thanks to the goalscoring of Evan Rodrigues and the round brilliance of Matthew Tkachuk. But the Oilers weren't going down without a fight. 

Staring down the barrel, Edmonton rallied, leaning on the mercurial McDavid, who ultimately delivered in his side's hour of need. He and partner in crime Draisaitl were on top form as the Canadians managed to level things up at three games apiece, setting up a seventh-game decider in Florida. But despite it being they who had the momentum, it was the hosts who managed to keep their nerve in the final game, and Sam Reinhart's second-period goal was enough to secure a 2-1 win and a maiden championship. 

Now the stage looks set for the two sides to clash again, and if they do, it could ignite one of the NHL’s great modern rivalries. The narrative would be rich with tension. Can McDavid and the Oilers shake off the heartbreak of last year, or will Florida establish itself as one of the league’s elite dynasties? The possibilities are endless, but hockey fans have been here before. 

Penguins and Red Wings Deliver Back-to-Back Thrillers 

You’d have to rewind to the late 2000s to find the last time the Stanley Cup Finals featured a rematch. Back then, the Detroit Red Wings were a powerhouse. They romped to the President's Trophy for the third time in five seasons, before marching through the postseason in flawless fashion. Stacked with future Hall of Famers like Nicklas Lidström, Pavel Datsyuk, and Henrik Zetterberg, the Motor City outfit blazed to the championship series, losing just four of their 16 postseason games. 

Over in the East, a young and hungry Pittsburgh Steelers side were on the rise. Led by a 20-year-old Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Marc-André Fleury, the narrative being spun was one of youthful exuberance meeting seasoned experience. It was the Red Wings who were considered the favorites courtesy of their championship pedigree, but the Penguins were about to give them a run for their money. 

The series kicked off with Detroit sending an emphatic message, shutting out Pittsburgh in the first two games with a combined score of 7-0. By Game 4, they held a 3-1 series lead and looked poised to secure the title until the Penguins managed to hold their nerve, and steal an overtime win in Game 5 to stay alive. But their dreams of a comeback wouldn't last for long, and the Red Wings sealed the deal with a 3-2 win in Game 6. 

Redemption 

The following year, the Pittsburgh returned, battle-hardened and determined to flip the script. After disappointing form in midseason, they boldly changed coaches and brought in Dan Bylsma, and his up-tempo style energized the entire roster. They managed to secure their spot in the postseason as the Eastern Conference's fourth seeds. 

Meanwhile, the Red Wings surrendered their top seed status in the West to the San Jose Sharks, but the Californians were stunned in the first round by the Anaheim Ducks, opening the door for Detroit. They duly powered through to their second straight final, as did Pittsburgh. And this time around, they weren't about to be disappointed. 

In the Finals, the Red Wings started strong once again, winning the first two games on home ice. However, the Penguins responded in kind, leveling the series 2-2 with wins at their own home rink. The two teams split the next two games, setting up a decisive Game 7 in Detroit. 

On home turf in the Motor City, it was the Red Wings who were favored to emerge with the title once again, but Pittsburgh found an unlikely hero in Max Talbot. The unheralded Canadian center scored both goals in a 2-1 victory, while Fleury cemented his place in Penguins history with a stunning last-second save on Lidström. That triumph secured the Pennsylvania outfit's redemption and a first Stanley Cup since 1992, and made Crosby the youngest captain in history to hoist the famous giant trophy high into the sky.