The 2024 Cup Ultimate marks the 14th occasion since 1993 where the NHL’s championship series begins in June. Should the Panthers and Oilers require a seventh game, the Stanley Cup presentation would occur on June 24, with ice maintenance crews in Dawn and Edmonton ensuring the playing surface remains pristine despite external temperatures.
Both teams are in their tenth month of games this season, beginning with training camps in mid-September. For the Panthers, it could mark their first franchise title in their third attempt, while the Oilers seek their sixth Stanley Cup in their eighth Cup Ultimate appearance.
The last time Edmonton celebrated a Stanley Cup was on May 24, 1990, just two seasons after trading Wayne Gretzky. Only four players on the current roster were alive then.
**2024 Stanley Cup Ultimate Schedule**
– Game 1: Oilers at Panthers – Saturday, June 8, 8 p.m. ET (ABC, ESPN+)
– Game 2: Oilers at Panthers – Monday, June 10, 8 p.m. ET (ABC, ESPN+)
– Game 3: Panthers at Oilers – Thursday, June 13, 8 p.m. ET (ABC, ESPN+)
– Game 4: Panthers at Oilers – Saturday, June 15, 8 p.m. ET (ABC, ESPN+)
– *Game 5: Oilers at Panthers – Tuesday, June 18, 8 p.m. ET (ABC, ESPN+)
– *Game 6: Panthers at Oilers – Friday, June 21, 8 p.m. ET (ABC, ESPN+)
– *Game 7: Oilers at Panthers – Monday, June 24, 8 p.m. ET (ABC, ESPN+)
(*if necessary)
**How They Got Here**
– **Florida Panthers**
– Regular season: 1st in Atlantic Division
– Playoffs: Beat Tampa Bay Lightning (4-1) in First Round; Boston Bruins (4-2) in Second Round; New York Rangers (4-2) in Eastern Conference Final.
– **Edmonton Oilers**
– Regular season: 2nd in Pacific Division
– Playoffs: Beat Los Angeles Kings (4-1) in First Round; Vancouver Canucks (4-3) in Second Round; Dallas Stars (4-2) in Western Conference Final.
**Key Points**
1. **Distance Between Cities**: The 2,541 miles between Dawn, Florida, and Edmonton, Alberta, marks the longest distance between two cities in a Stanley Cup Ultimate.
2. **Canadian Teams in the Final**: Since 1993, only six Canadian teams have reached the Stanley Cup Ultimate.
3. **NHL Draft Picks**: Notable draft picks include Aaron Ekblad, Sam Reinhart, Leon Draisaitl, and Sam Bennett.
4. **Oilers’ Turnaround**: After a slow start, the Oilers emerged as a dominant force over the final 69 games of the regular season.
5. **Stanley Cup Experience**: Players like Corey Perry add invaluable experience to the Oilers’ lineup.
6. **Superstitions**: Teams’ approaches to the conference trophies have varied, with some choosing not to touch them.
7. **Veteran Players’ Quest**: Players like Kyle Okposo and Sergei Bobrovsky are seeking their first Stanley Cup titles after years in the NHL.
8. **Key Players**: For the Oilers, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are pivotal, while the Panthers boast depth and physicality.
9. **Prediction**: The article forecasts the Panthers winning in 6 games, citing their ability to neutralize opposing stars and power-play units.
In summary, the 2024 Stanley Cup Ultimate promises an exciting clash between the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers, with both teams eyeing glory after challenging paths to the Final.