As big a deal as that would be, McDavid hopes not everything repeats as it did a year ago, when his Edmonton Oilers lost Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final to the Florida Panthers before he was handed the Conn Smythe Trophy. McDavid is one of six players in NHL history to win the Conn Smythe Trophy despite his team losing in the Cup Final.

Florida coach Paul Maurice keeps the day-to-day routine simple. Show up for work early and have copious amounts of coffee. Trust assistant coaches to do their jobs.

We look at the three bold predictions for the 2025 Stanley Cup Finals as the Florida Panthers take on the Edmonton Oilers.

But that, too, is familiar. The Panthers -- like the Oilers -- have been the road team in each of the first three series of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Panthers are 8-2 on the road in the postseason – including five straight wins – embracing, rather than being concerned about, having to win away from the friendly confines of Amerant Bank Arena.

There’s only two teams left, and we’re one of them and we have opportunity to win it all. It’s an exciting time, and I want to enjoy every bit of it.’

The Florida Panthers look to advance to the Stanley Cup Final as the Carolina Hurricanes attempt to extend the series in Game 5 of the East Final on Wednesday.

The Florida Panthers were happy, sure. They had accomplished the task at hand, the erasure of the Carolina Hurricanes from the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a 5-3 win in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final.