A long NHL season, one that lasted 256 days to be exact, has officially come to a close. The 2025 Stanley Cup Final concluded Tuesday, when the Florida Panthers outlasted the Edmonton Oilers in six games to claim their second straight championship.
Across six games, the series delivered three overtime thrillers, multiple stunning comebacks, broken records, and perhaps the birth of a new dynasty in the NHL.
Now that the confetti has settled, it’s time to take one final look at the biggest winners and losers from and epic 2025 Stanley Cup Final.
Winner — Sam Bennett — Florida Panthers
Sam Bennett embodies what it means to be a Florida Panther. The two-time Stanley Cup champion was the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as playoff MVP this year, and was at the heart of Florida’s repeat run, playing at a fever pitch with relentless drive. He led the Stanley Cup Playoffs with 15 goals, including an NHL record 13 on the road, and finished with five in the Final. Many of those goals were scored in pivotal moments that swung games and deflated the Oilers momentum. Now, Bennett is set to become a winner yet again, when he undoubtedly strikes it rich as a pending unrestricted free agent this summer.
Winner — Sam Reinhart — Florida Panthers
Sam Reinhart was one of Florida’s most dangerous weapons throughout the Stanley Cup Final. His four-goal performance in the Cup-clinching Game 6 cemented his name in history — even if two of the goals landed into an empty net. But his impact went far beyond one night. Reinhart scored in four consecutive games to close out the series, finishing tops among all skaters with seven goals against the Oilers. He tied for second among all skaters with 11 goals in the postseason, as a key piece of the puzzle for the second straight year in South Florida.
Loser — Stuart Skinner — Edmonton Oilers
Stuart Skinner’s struggles were one of the biggest storylines of the Stanley Cup Final — and ultimately one of the biggest reasons Edmonton fell short. After the goalie was pulled 3:27 into the third period of a 6-1 loss in Game 3, Skinner was once again pulled in Game 4, this time coming out after the first period, when he allowed three goals on 17 shots. Simply put, Skinner was not a Stanley Cup winning caliber goaltender this spring. He was benched in favor of Calvin Pickard, who started Game 5, and then badly outplayed by Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky in Game 6 when he was back in net. Skinner’s misplay off a Carter Verhaeghe shot in the second period of Game 6 led directly to a Reinhart goal that made it 3-0 and effectively buried the Oilers.
Winner — Brad Marchand — Florida Panthers
The 37-year-old winger was an absolute two-way force throughout the series, scoring six goals in the same amount of games. His Game 2 double-overtime winner in Edmonton swung momentum back in Florida’s favor, and his goal just 56 seconds into game 3 set the tone for an overwhelming Panthers win. Marchand became the oldest player to score in each of the first three games of a Stanley Cup Final, and won his second Stanley Cup championship, first since 2011 with the Boston Bruins. It’s hard to imagine a more impactful trade-deadline acquisition over the years than Marchand was in 2025.
Loser — First Period — Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton was outscored 13-4 in first periods over the course of the series, allowing at least two goals in the opening period of every single game. It got worse as the series progressed; they were outscored 9-0 in the first period of Games 3-6 and had to constantly play from behind, losing three of those four games. The Oilers’ first-period struggles prevented them from ever dictating pace, and even though they were able to claw back on occasion, that style of play was clearly not sustainable over the duration of a whole series.
Winner — Leon Draisaitl — Edmonton Oilers
Although the Oilers came up short, Leon Draisaitl continued to show why he’s one of the League’s elitet players. He repeatedly showed up when Edmonton needed him most, scoring both overtime game-winners in the series — the Game 1 winner and the dramatic Game 4 winner to complete a stunning comeback from a 3-0 deficit. Draisaitl became the first player in NHL history to record four overtime goals in a single postseason, adding another record to his resume. Draisaitl racked up eight points in the series and carried Edmonton’s offense, though he was shut down in the decisive Game 6, too.
Winner — Matthew Tkachuk — Florida Panthers
Matthew Tkachuk once again played a major role in the Panthers’ claiming the Stanley Cup. Tkachuk finished with seven points (three goals, four assists), including the Cup-winning goal in Game 6. He constantly disrupted Edmonton’s defense with his net-front presence, drew penalties, and set the tone physically every night. While other’s may grab the spotlight with their highlight-reel plays, Tkachuk’s complete game was key in helping Florida control the series and secure back-to-back championships. That he did it all after not fully recovering from a sports hernia and tearing the adductor clear off the bone speaks volumes to his tremendous will and character.
Winner — Sergei Bobrovsky — Florida Panthers
Sergei Bobrovsky’s impact was undeniable. Throughout the series, he consistently outperformed Skinner and Pickard, giving Florida a clear edge in the goaltending category that often defines a Stanley Cup winning team. Bobrovsky delivered saves that held up the Panther’s early leads, preventing Edmonton from generating any momentum. Whether it was denying a breakaway 30 seconds into Game 5 or controlling rebounds in heavy traffic, Bobrovsky’s poise under pressure slowed Florida to dictate play for the majority of every game. He made 28 saves on 29 shots in Game 6 and allowed only three goals in the final two games after the series was tied 2-2 after four games.
Loser — Connor McDavid — Edmonton Oilers
For a player considered the best in the world, Connor McDavid’s performance in the Stanley Cup Final fell well short of expectations. After recording 11 points in last year’s Final and 42 points in throughout the 2024 postseason, McDavid won the Conn Smythe Trophy last spring despite not winning the Cup. However, McDavid had just one goal and five assists in this year’s Final, with no multi-point efforts across the six contests. Florida’s defense was structured to stop McDavid from generating the game-changing type of plays he is known for. In a series when Edmonton desperately needed its star to take over, McDavid was unable to break through. The Oilers were searching for answers that never came, and for a player of his caliber — this Final will be remembered as a missed opportunity.
Winner – Anton Lundell – Florida Panthers
Anton Lundell quietly played a huge role in the Panthers’ repeat championship. The 22-year-old center constantly made smart plays, often tilting the ice in Florida’s favor. Lundell was involved in several of the key moments during the Stanley Cup Final, including setting up Brad Marchand’s Game 2 double-overtime winner, while also playing solid defensively. His ability to transition the puck, kill penalties, and win battles along the boards made him one of Florida’s most valuable depth pieces. Lundell closed out the series with a five-game point streak (one goal, five assists) and his chemistry with Marchand and Eetu Luostarinen made Florida’s third line a game-changer in the series. He may not be a headline name, but Lundell’s impact was noticeable in helping Florida raise the Stanley Cup once again.
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