As I noted earlier, we are seeing a lot of familiarity late in the playoffs this year, including a rematch of last year's finals. The Panthers avoided an inauspicious place in history, after watching the Oilers nearly win the Cup after Florida was initially up 3-0, and now we know the 2025 series probably won't ever hold a candle to last year.
It will still be good, however.
These are two evenly matched teams, as proven by last year's Final, and are clearly familiar with each other as well. There will be no feeling each other out, no surprises and no punches pulled. Game one went to overtime this time around. No 8-1 games here, not in 2025. Both teams know the stakes.
And I can't reiterate this enough. These teams really know each other. Since the beginning of the 2024 Finals, the Oilers have played the Panthers more than three times than they have played the Calgary Flames. By the end of the month, they will probably be at 4 times, but probably 5 times as many.
If you've ever wondered if there was any reason, beyond the obvious trophy hunt, these playoff series seem to have an edge. That's why. Familiarity breeds contempt. The Oilers play the Panthers more than the Flames. The Panthers play the Oilers more than the Lightning.
This is the NHL's most active rivalry in 2025.
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