The 2025 Stanley Cup Final marks just the third instance in 40 years of a final series being a rematch in consecutive seasons. Examining the prior two occurrences reveals striking similarities, particularly concerning the sport`s elite players.
In 2024, the Florida Panthers swiftly built a commanding 3-0 lead over the Oilers in the Cup Final, only for Edmonton to mount a remarkable comeback and force a seventh game. Ultimately, in that decisive contest held on home ice, the Panthers clinched the championship with a 2-1 victory.
Now, a year later, the Oilers and their captain, Connor McDavid, are back with retribution on their minds – mirroring the paths of Sidney Crosby`s Pittsburgh Penguins 16 years ago and Wayne Gretzky`s very same Oilers four decades prior in 1984.
Crosby`s Penguins had suffered defeat to the experienced Detroit Red Wings in 2008 during the young team`s inaugural appearance in the final. Pittsburgh successfully returned the following year, lost the initial two games in Detroit, but then rallied to win four of the subsequent five matchups, including a memorable 2-1 road triumph in Game 7.
The Oilers of the early 1980s reached their first final in 1983 and were decisively beaten by the dominant Islanders, who secured their fourth straight title with a sweep that year. The subsequent rematch, however, was entirely controlled by Edmonton. After splitting the first two games on Long Island, the Oilers triumphed in the next three contests – all played at home under the 2-3-2 series format – outscoring the Islanders by a combined 19-6.
This victory secured Gretzky and his teammates their first Stanley Cup.
The apparent common thread connecting these historical events is that two generational talents – Crosby and Gretzky – achieved their first championship ring during their second consecutive trip to the final. While they were in their early twenties at those points in their careers, contrasting with McDavid who is approaching his late twenties, the historical blueprint is clearly evident.
Could another historical parallel emerge? Despite their extraordinary skill, neither Crosby nor Gretzky received the Conn Smythe Trophy for playoff MVP the first time their teams won the title. In both instances, the honor was bestowed upon their exceptional linemates – Mark Messier in `84 and Evgeni Malkin in `09.
