If the 2025 Stanley Cup Final feels like deja vu, that’s because it is.
The Panthers and the Oilers showed considerable strength during their last notable joust, a seven-game war of attrition between two of hockey’s most snake-bitten franchises in recent memory. When the dust settled, it was Florida hoisting the glint trophy, benefitting from strong play from Sergei Bobrovsky, Matthew Tkachuk, and Aleksander Barkov, among others.
One year on and not much has changed for the Panthers, who hope to use their depth to overmatch a fast and hungry Edmonton squad. The Oilers are headed by two of the sport’s most dazzling forwards — Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Beyond that, they have a roster filled with journeymen, youngsters, and everything in between.
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If this year’s iteration of the competition shares even a passing resemblance to that of last, we’re going to receive a classic affair. But just when does the first match in the high-profile battle take place? The Sporting News has you covered.
When does the 2025 Stanley Cup Final start?
- Start: Wednesday, June 4
The 2025 Stanley Cup Final is officially set to begin Saturday, June 8.
The conference finals closed out early, with both sides downing their opponents by May 28. With each series going just five games, both the Panthers and the Oilers were given a week of rest before they returned to the ice.
Edmonton holds home-ice advantage, having posted a better regular-season record than Florida. As such, the series will start at the Oilers’ home ground — Rogers Place. If the slate goes seven games, it will end there, too.
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With that, here’s the full schedule for the 2025 Stanley Cup Finals:
| Date | Site | Time (ET) | TV |
| Wed., June 4 | Rogers Place | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV, Max, SN, CBC, TVAS |
| Fri., June 6 | Rogers Place | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV, Max, SN, CBC, TVAS |
| Mon., June 9 | Amerant Bank Arena | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV, Max, SN, CBC, TVAS |
| Thur., June 12 | Amerant Bank Arena | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV, Max, SN, CBC, TVAS |
| Sat., June 14* | Rogers Place | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV, Max, SN, CBC, TVAS |
| Tues., June 17* | Amerant Bank Arena | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV, Max, SN, CBC, TVAS |
| Fri., June 20* | Rogers Place | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV, Max, SN, CBC, TVAS |
* = if necessary
What channel is the 2025 Stanley Cup Final on?
- TV Channel (U.S.): TNT, truTV
- TV Channel (Canada): Sportsnet, CBC, TVAS
- Live stream (U.S.): Max, Fubo
- Live stream (Canada): SN NOW, CBC Gem, CBC Sports app
In the United States, the 2025 Stanley Cup Final is set to air on TNT and truTV. ESPN, and TNT continues to alternate coverage for the finals, so TNT takes the reins of the broadcast one year after ESPN handled broadcasting duties.
Canadian viewers can find the action on Sportsnet, CBC, or TVA Sports for francophones.
American cord-cutters can find the games on a host of streaming platforms, including TNT and Fubo, which carries all NHL playoff games on ESPN and TNT platforms.
Canadian streamers can follow along on SN NOW, CBC Gem, or the CBC Sports app.
Who is playing in the Stanley Cup Final?
This year’s Stanley Cup Final features a rematch of last year’s bout, with the Panthers and Oilers reprising their roles as the Eastern and Western Conference representatives, respectively.
Florida has been a buzzsaw through postseason play thus far, breezing through a pair of five-game sets against Tampa Bay and Carolina. Its toughest test came against an upstart Maple Leafs squad in the second round, but even that series ended in confetti — the Panthers blitzed Toronto for six goals en route to a Game 7 blowout.
Edmonton, meanwhile, bested Dallas in five games. McDavid and Draisaitl represent perhaps hockey’s grandest scoring talents. The Oilers’ supporting cast has proven similarly effective as of late: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Stuart Skinner, and Evan Bouchard have all shined for the side in this year’s playoffs.
A title would prove momentous for Edmonton, who has not won a Stanley Cup since 1990.
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