A deep dive into the relationship between the NCAA and NHL

Much to the delight of Ariana Grande and Chaminade College Preparatory School alums everywhere, the Florida Panthers topped the Edmonton Oilers 2–1 in Monday’s Game 7 to hoist their first-ever Stanley Cup. Here’s a breakdown, by the numbers:

Thanks to the Edmonton Oilers’ incredible 5–1 Game 6 Saturday win over the Florida Panthers, the Stanley Cup Final is heading to the best two words in sports — Game 7 — for the first time since 2019. History will be made in tonight’s 8 p.m. ET showdown: Either the Oilers will complete one of the biggest comebacks ever or the Panthers will hoist their very first Stanley Cup. Here are two things to keep in mind before puck drop.

The Florida Panthers (up 3-2) are still one win away from hoisting the Stanley Cup for the first time, but the Edmonton Oilers have momentum on their side after staving off elimination with two massive consecutive wins.

It wasn’t a fluke — the Edmonton Oilers (now down 3-2) have turned the tides in the Stanley Cup Final, officially forcing a Game 6 against the Florida Panthers back home in Alberta. Oh Canada is right.

Okay, so the Edmonton Oilers scored eight goals? That did impress the queen of country pop… and helped the Oils avoid being swept by the Florida Panthers (now up 3-1). The Oils are showing signs of life with an 8–1 Saturday Game 4 rout under their belts, but now this series is heading back to Sunrise…

Following in the Celtics’ footsteps, the Florida Panthers (up 3-0) need just one more win to clinch their first-ever championship and the first Stanley Cup sweep since 1998.

Two squads boast dominant 2-0 leads in the NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Final, but outside forces are threatening the action on both the hardwood and the ice. May the most resilient teams win…

One word to describe the first few games in the NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Final? “Dominant,” with the home squads firing on all cylinders.

After two electric Conference Final series, the Stanley Cup Final is set, with a Canadian squad in the mix for the first time since 2021 and Florida’s finest four wins away from redemption.

You can’t make a diamond without serious pressure — no wonder the NBA and NHL Conference Finals stars are making the whole place postseason shimmer.

There’s no season like the postseason, with thrillers everywhere you look in both the NBA and NHL Conference Finals.