And then there were four.
The final combatants are set in the NHL and NBA.
For the first time since 2009 we’ll see a repeat of the Stanley Cup Final as the Edmonton Oilers take on the defending champion Florida Panthers.
The last time a repeat happened the Pittsburgh Penguins took on the Detroit Red Wings.
There is one local connection as former Niagara IceDogs captain Carter Verhaeghe will search for his third Stanley Cup in five years, including his second straight with the Panthers.
Verhaeghe also won a championship with the Tampa Bay Lightning back in 2021.
“It’s definitely going to be a good series,” Verhaeghe said. “They’re going to be ready. We’re going to be ready. And it’s crazy that I don’t think it happens very often where you get back-to-back Stanley Cup Final matchups. So, it’s going to be a tough series. We know what to expect. Just a lot of excitement going into it.”
Unlike 2024 when Florida was the favorite, Edmonton enters the 2025 final as the bettors choice, and have home-ice advantage.
The Panthers opened a three-nothing series lead last season, before the Oilers reeled off three straight wins to force a Game 7 only to have Florida take the series finale 2-1.
“We’re better for going through last year. It was a great learning experience, and it’s driven us all year,” said McDavid. “This run has felt different than last year. It felt very normal. It hasn’t been as emotional. That puts us in a good position. “Those games can be emotionally draining. We’re not drained.”
The Stanley Cup Final begins Wednesday night in Edmonton.
Here’s a look at the Stanley Cup Final schedule:
Game 1: Wednesday, June 4 in Edmonton at 8 p.m.
Game 2: Friday, June 6 in Edmonton at 8 p.m.
Game 3: Monday, June 9 in Florida at 8 p.m.
Game 4: Thursday, June 12 in Florida at 8 p.m.
*Game 5: Saturday, June 14 in Edmonton at 8 p.m.
*Game 6: Tuesday, June 17 in Florida at 8 p.m.
*Game 7: Friday, June 20 in Edmonton at 8 p.m.
* if necessary (all games Eastern Time)
Meantime, on the hardcourt no fewer than four Canadians, including NBA regular season Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will play for the Larry O’Brien trophy as champion as the Oklahoma City Thunder take on the Indiana Pacers.
Alexander and Lu Dort are members of the Thunder, while Andrew Nemhbard and Bennedict Mathurin play for the Pacers.
“To see four homegrown players competing for an NBA championship is a testament to the depth, resilience, and world-class players being developed in Canada,” General Manager and Executive Vice-President of Canada Basketball Rowan Barrett told TSN. “We couldn’t be prouder of what this means for our country and for the continued growth of the game.”
Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder are favorites, but the Canadian freely admits Indiana deserves to be in the finals.
“I don’t think they’ve changed much. They’re on a roll now, since January, us and them have the best records in the NBA. They’ve been playing good basketball, they’re gonna be a tough opponent regardless,” said Gilgeous-Alexander.
The NBA Finals begin Thursday night in Oklahoma City.
Here’s a look at the schedule:
Game 1: Thursday, June 5 Pacers at Thunder 8:30 p.m.
Game 2: Sunday, June 8 Pacers vs. Thunder 8 p.m.
Game 3: Wednesday, June 11 Thunder vs. Pacers 8:30 p.m.
Game 4: Friday, June 13 Thunder vs. Pacers 8:30 p.m.
*Game 5: Monday, June 16 Pacers vs. Thunder 8:30 p.m.
*Game 6: Thursday, June 19 Thunder vs. Pacers 8:30 p.m.
*Game 7: Sunday, June 22 Pacers vs. Thunder 8 p.m.
* if necessary (all games Eastern Time)
Rod Mawhood is a lifelong Niagara native who has had the pleasure of working in all three mediums – Radio, Print and TV – for over 20 years. His first announcing gig was with the then St. Catharines Stompers. Since then he’s worked in radio and TV in Toronto, and currently is the announcer for the Niagara IceDogs and Niagara River Lions.
Rod also covers the Buffalo Bills for FOX Sports and the Buffalo Sabres for NBC Sports.
