Edmonton Oilers vs Florida Panthers, who is playing, when are games, what time, USA vs Canada, how to watch, donald trump, Connor McDavid
The biggest North American sporting rivalry will get underway from Thursday when the Edmonton Oilers take on the Florida Panthers in the NHL’s best-of-seven Stanley Cup final.
The tension-packed Canada-United States rivalry will reach an emotional high when the Oilers try to become the first Canadian club since 1993 to win the Stanley Cup.
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The Oilers, powered by superstar Connor McDavid, will face defending champion Florida in the NHL’s championship series in a rematch of last year’s final – which was won by the Panthers in seven games.
No NHL team has beaten the same rival in back-to-back finals since Montreal beat Boston in 1977 and 1978.
“It’s going to be an incredible battle again,” Panthers forward Sam Reinhart said.
“They’re playing some pretty dominant hockey, so we’re excited for the challenge. We’ve got to be ready for it.”
The US-Canada grudge match has been fuelled by political overtones after US President Donald Trump called for Canada to become the 51st state, even calling former prime minister Justin Trudeau “governor” as if he were only in charge of a US state not a nation. Tariffs against the border neighbours didn’t help either.
It all boiled over earlier this year in the NHL’s Four Nations Faceoff tournament when the United States played Canada at Montreal in a round-robin game on February 15 and fans booed the pre-game singing of the US national anthem.
Speaking ahead of game one, McDavid said his side were ready for redemption 12 months on from last year’s Stanley Cup heartbreak.
“I think we were better for going through last year. It was a great learning experience and it has really driven us all year,” McDavid said.
“This run has felt different than last year. It has felt very normal. It hasn’t been as emotional. We haven’t had the highs and we haven’t had the lows. It has just kind of been steady and I think that has put us in a good position.”
It’s a third consecutive finals appearance for Florida, having lost to Vegas in 2023 before winning last year.
STANLEY CUP SCHEDULE (All times AEST)
Game 1 – Thursday, June 5 from 10am
Game 2 – Saturday, June 7 from 10am
Game 3 – Tuesday, June 10 from 10am
Game 4 – Friday, June 13 from 10am
Game 5 – Sunday, June 15 from 10am*
Game 6 – Wednesday, June 18 from 10am*
Game 7 – Saturday, June 21 from 10am*
*If required
