Panthers win first Stanley Cup in team history

The Florida Panthers defeated the Edmonton Oilers 2-1 in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals, winning their first Stanley Cup in history. Despite the loss, Oilers superstar Connor McDavid took home the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. The Panthers went up 3-0 in the series before Edmonton came roaring back to force a game 7. The Panthers avenged their Stanley Cup Final loss to Vegas last year, and Paul Maurice, the Panthers coach, got his first ever Stanley Cup in over 30 years of coaching. 

This was without a doubt one of the greatest Stanley Cup Finals I've ever seen. The fact that the Oilers didn't quit despite going down 3-0 is amazing, and they deserve respect for it. They've got a hell of a team, and Connor McDavid is probably the best player in the NHL right now. They'll be back.

As much as I like McDavid, I will say that it was very strange that he won the Conn Smythe despite losing. I understand he had an amazing playoffs, but the Conn Smythe should go to the winning team. I don't care that it's the playoffs MVP and not the Stanley Cup Finals MVP. The loss makes this award meaningless for McDavid. 

One of the greatest seasons in NHL history finished with one of the most memorable finals ever. This year was great, and I'm excited for next year. 

2024 Stanley Cup Finals preview

The 2024 Stanley Cup Finals are here, so let's get into it with a recap of these teams' seasons and predictions. 

The Edmonton Oilers fell in the second round last year despite an amazing season from Connor McDavid. They had a slow start to the year, which resulted in them firing head coach Jay Woodcroft. Then they went on a tear, having a perfect January and finishing with 104 points. McDavid racked up 32 goals and 100 assists. For the third straight year, they eliminated the LA Kings in round one in 5 games. Then they took out the Pacific Division champion Vancouver Canucks in 7 games before dispatching the West's top team Dallas Stars in 6 games, advancing to their first Stanley Cup Final in 18 years. They're looking to become the first Canadian Stanley Cup champion in over 30 years. 

The Florida Panthers had a Cinderella run to the Stanley Cup finals last year, but this year's team isn't a Cinderella by any means. They won the Atlantic Division with 110 points, dispatched the Tampa Bay Lightning in 5 games in round one, took out the Boston Bruins in round two, and unseated the Presidents Trophy-winning New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference Finals in 6 games. The Panthers have never won a Stanley Cup. Can they lift their first this year?

Here are my predictions. This will be one hell of a series, but Edmonton will win it in 6, and McDavid will finally get his Cup. Either way, the winner will be much deserving of their cup. Will Edmonton break the Canadian curse, or will Florida avenge last year and lift their first Cup. We'll see.