5 intriguing Stanley Cup Finals matchups to watch out for in 2025 ft. Maple Leafs vs. Oilers

By Nestor Quixtan

Modified Jul 20, 2024 23:10 GMT

Winning the Stanley Cup is every team’s goal. While not every team is poised to do so, some teams are positioned to make a run for the Stanley Cup. Along the way, fans and analysts speculate about the potential matchups that could occur come playoff time.

So, let’s take a look at five intriguing Stanley Cup Final matchups that could take place this season.

5 intriguing Stanley Cup Finals matchups to watch out for in 2025

#5: New York Rangers vs. Colorado Avalanche

Last season, both the Rangers and the Avalanche fell short of their quest to make the Stanley Cup Final. The Avs lost a tough series against the Dallas Stars. At the same time, the Rangers ran out of gas against the eventual champion Florida Panthers.

Both teams may ride their strengths and a bit of luck all the way to the Cup Final. This matchup would feature the firepower of scoring leader Nathan MacKinnon versus the world-class goaltending of Igor Shesterkin.

It’s tough to call who would win, but there’s a sense it could be the Avs in a tight seven-game series.

#4: Florida Panthers vs. Vegas Golden Knights

In a rematch of the 2023 Cup Final, the Florida Panthers take on the Golden Knights. This time around, the Panthers leverage their experience to beat the Golden Knights in a rather one-sided series. The Panthers won back-to-back Cups, while the Golden Knights beat expectations.

For Florida fans, this rematch would be a welcome opportunity to get revenge on Vegas. For Vegas fans, a return to the Cup Final would be a great way to cap off another successful season.

#3: Boston Bruins vs. Dallas Stars

The Bruins meet the Stars in this matchup, making it one of the best Stanley Cup Final matchups in recent history. The Stars use their balanced lineup to outlast the Bruins in a tough-checking seven-game series.

This series would feature scoring, checking, and great goaltending. The series would come down to a showdown between netminders Jake Oettinger and Jeremy Swayman. It would provide NHL fans with one of the most intriguing series this decade.

#2: Carolina Hurricanes vs. Vancouver Canucks

In this series, fans would get a chance to see two of the most talented teams in the NHL. The Canucks feature great scoring, solid goaltending, and character players like Quinn Hughes. The Hurricanes feature one of the best coaches in the league, leading a deep lineup with stars like Sebastian Aho.

Overall, this series would be fun to watch. While the Hurricanes have the experience and depth to beat the Canucks in six, Vancouver could surprise the hockey world and bring the club’s first Stanley Cup in franchise history.

#1: Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Edmonton Oilers

What could be better than Connor McDavid vs Auston Matthews? In this scenario, the Oilers make it back to the Final for the second year in a row. Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs finally get over the hump and ride Matthews to the team’s first Stanley Cup Final appearance since 1967.

This series should go down to the wire, with the goaltenders being the determining factor. The Oilers’ Jeff Skinner gets the edge over the Leafs’ Joseph Woll, giving the Oilers the team’s first Cup since 1990.

As for the Leafs, the successful season finally puts critics to rest, unleashing a dynasty in the years to come.