The Panthers made the playoffs just once in eight seasons between 2013 and 2020 (lost in the first round), although they drafted in the top three four times between 2010 and 2013. The Oilers were no better in the during this same period: only one playoff appearance, despite five top-3 draft picks between 2010 and 2015. Ultimately, only one playoff appearance in 14 years for Edmonton between its appearance in the final in 2006 and 2020 , only two for Florida between 2001 and 2020…
Here they are both in the final, after having found good managers. Two similar clubs in terms of reconstruction model, but also polar opposites. The Panthers enjoy year-round sunshine, a favorable tax rate and they’re trying to keep the Stanley Cup in a new market that commissioner Gary Bettman is fond of; the Oilers players put on their winter boots to go to the arena, resist as best they can the American invader after decades of glory in the 20th century and try to bring the emblematic trophy back to Canada after a drought of 31 years.
The most complete center in the NHL, Aleksander Barkov, second pick in 2014, faces the best offensive center in the league, Connor McDavid. Both are backed by an offensive superstar: Matthew Tkachuk in Florida, Leon Draisaitl in Edmonton. The Panthers’ devastating forecheck against the Oilers’ speed.