The matchup for the 2025 Stanley Cup Final is now confirmed. The Edmonton Oilers secured their spot by defeating the Dallas Stars 6-3 in the Western Conference Final on Thursday. This sets up a highly anticipated rematch of the 2024 Final, as the Oilers will face the Florida Panthers, seeking redemption.
In the 2024 series, the Panthers ultimately prevailed in seven hard-fought games to claim their first-ever Stanley Cup. They initially took a commanding 3-0 lead, dominating the first three games with an 11-4 scoring advantage. However, the Oilers mounted a remarkable comeback to push the series to a deciding Game 7 before Florida secured the championship.
The upcoming clash between Edmonton and Florida marks only the fifth time in the NHL`s expansion era (since 1967) that the same two teams have met in the Stanley Cup Final in back-to-back years. Below, we examine the four previous instances of consecutive Stanley Cup Final rematches over the past six decades.
Canadiens vs. Blues (1968-69)
The Montreal Canadiens were a dominant force in the 1960s and 1970s, hoisting the Stanley Cup an incredible 11 times across those two decades, including consecutive wins in 1968 and 1969. In 1968, Montreal swept the St. Louis Blues in four games, remarkably, with every game decided by a single goal. Despite the sweep, Blues goaltender Glenn Hall was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP for his outstanding performance, posting a 2.75 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage. Hall is one of only six players in NHL history to win the award while on the losing team.
The Canadiens faced the Blues again in 1969 and were victorious in four games once more. This series was less competitive than the previous year, with Montreal outscoring St. Louis 12-3 across the four games. The Blues failed to score more than one goal in any contest. Canadiens defenseman Serge Savard received the Conn Smythe Trophy that year, contributing four goals and six assists during the playoff run. This championship marked Montreal`s fourth Stanley Cup in five seasons.
Canadiens vs. Bruins (1977-78)
The late 1970s saw the Canadiens return to glory with back-to-back Stanley Cups. In the 1977 Final, Montreal swept the Boston Bruins. They started the series emphatically with a seven-goal outburst in Game 1. The Canadiens scored a total of 16 goals in the series, winning three of the four games by multiple goals. Legendary forward Guy Lafleur was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner after scoring two goals and adding seven assists in the 1977 Final.
When the teams met again in 1978, the Bruins put up a stronger fight. Montreal won the first two games before Boston roared back with eight goals combined in Games 3 and 4 to level the series. However, the Canadiens ultimately shut down Boston`s rally, outscoring the Bruins 8-2 in the final two games to clinch the championship. Canadiens defenseman Larry Robinson earned Conn Smythe Trophy honors, accumulating four goals and 17 assists throughout the playoffs, including two goals and four assists in the Stanley Cup Final.
Oilers vs. Islanders (1983-84)
The 1980s were dominated by these two powerhouses, the New York Islanders and the Edmonton Oilers, who met in consecutive Stanley Cup Finals. Their rivalry began in the 1983 Final, where the Islanders completed a four-game sweep. New York outscored Edmonton 17-6 across the series, including scoring five or more goals in two games. Islanders goaltender Billy Smith won the Conn Smythe Trophy with an impressive 13-3-0 record in the 1983 postseason, allowing only six goals in the Stanley Cup Final.
The script was completely flipped in the 1984 Stanley Cup Final. This time, the Oilers asserted their dominance, defeating New York in five games. The series was tied after two games, with Edmonton scoring only two goals in that span, but their offense exploded afterward. The Oilers scored at least five goals in each of the final three games. Oilers superstar Mark Messier was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy, having tallied eight goals and 18 assists in the playoffs, including three goals and one assist in the Stanley Cup Final.
Penguins vs. Red Wings (2008-09)
The most recent consecutive Stanley Cup Final rematch occurred in 2008 and 2009 between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Detroit Red Wings. In 2008, Detroit was arguably the league`s top team, having won the Presidents` Trophy with 115 regular-season points. The series started with Detroit shutting out Pittsburgh 7-0 through the first two games. Although Pittsburgh managed to win a game at home and force Game 6 with a triple-overtime victory, Detroit proved too formidable. Red Wings winger Henrik Zetterberg won the Conn Smythe Trophy, recording 13 goals and 14 assists in the playoffs, including two goals and four assists in the Final.
The 2009 Stanley Cup Final was an epic seven-game battle. The Red Wings once again won the first two games, but the Penguins made crucial adjustments and rallied. Pittsburgh won four of the remaining five games, culminating in a dramatic 2-1 victory in Game 7, sealed by Max Talbot`s two goals. Penguins winger Evgeni Malkin earned the Conn Smythe Trophy for his outstanding playoff performance, scoring 14 goals and adding 22 assists, including two goals and six assists in the Stanley Cup Final.
