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NHL: Stanley Cup Finals Bold Predictions

John Carando

Published

6 days ago

View of the Stanley Cup, the National Hockey League’s championship trophy, taken during the cup’s 100th year anniversary, New York, New York, November 1992. The cup is named after Sir Frederick Arthur Stanley. (Photo by Scott Levy/Getty Images)

What a crazy playoffs this has been so far, with some of the top teams like Winnipeg and Washington getting bumped out in round 2. Yet, with these two offensive juggernauts facing off, the fun is in many ways just getting started! Here are my bold predictions for the series:

Brad Marchand has at least 3 multi-goal performances

May 24, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Brad Marchand (63) celebrates after a goal during the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes in game three of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Marchand has been a huge boon to the Florida Panthers since he was acquired in a trade from the Boston Bruins. He instantly gelled with his new teammates in the clubhouse, and his energy, enthusiasm, and good humor are invaluable for whatever team he’s on. However, he’s also a dynamic force on the ice and a prolific goal scorer, and this will be on full display this series.

The Oilers will lose every road matchup

MONTREAL, CANADA – FEBRUARY 12: A detailed view of the Edmonton Oilers’ logo during the third period against the Montreal Canadiens at Centre Bell on February 12, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Edmonton Oilers 6-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)

Edmonton has been a lot better at home and this will continue to be the case in this series. I predict that the Panthers will be extra fired up when on home ice and won’t allow the Oilers to win any of those games.

After game 4 the Panthers will lead 3-1

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 30: A detail of the Florida Panthers logo during the third period against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden on October 30, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

I think the Oilers will win one of the first two games- let’s say the second game- and then lose the next two.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is Edmonton’s MVP this series

May 23, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) reacts after scoring a goal against the Dallas Stars in the first period for game two of the Western Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

I think RNH will shine in this series and possibly even rack up the most points on the team. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl will perform well, but will be the focus of the Florida defense and it’ll be a bit tougher for them to find the back of the net.

Sam Reinhart will go off

May 20, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Florida Panthers forward Sam Reinhart (13) reacts during the second period against the Carolina Hurricanes in game one of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

Reinhart has been firing off a ton of shots this postseason, 2nd only to Sam Bennett, but he just hasn’t been able to find the back of the net very often. That will change against Edmonton.

The Panthers Will Win The Cup

The tenacity, physicality, and skill with the puck of the Florida skaters will win the day in the end. As fast, talented and explosive as the Edmonton offense is, Florida has been better defensively (particularly Sergei Bobrovsky in net) and coach Paul Maurice deserves to be commended for his part in firing the whole team up with his good humor and enthusiasm. These will all be important factors in Florida repeating as Stanley Cup champions.

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