Oilers still stung by Panthers’ post-Stanley Cup celebration jabs, insider predicts fierce rivalry ahead

The Edmonton Oilers are preparing for an emotional matchup against the Florida Panthers on Saturday. The game carries extra weight, not only because the Oilers have lost twice in that building during the past two Stanley Cup Finals, but also because of lingering frustration from Florida’s post-championship comments.

On Friday’s episode of the 32 Thoughts podcast, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman explained the situation. He said the Oilers were not happy with how some Panthers players celebrated after winning the Cup.

"The one on Saturday is big, and not only for the reasons you mentioned; they've lost there twice," Friedman said to his co-host. [4:10 onwards] "It brings back a lot of bad memories, but the Oilers as an organization, were not happy with some of the post-celebration commentary from the Panthers. "Like the Panthers, they really rubbed that second one in. They really did. And Tkachuk is not going to be there, and Barkov is not going to be there, and it's not Florida's best team. But I see this as okay, Edmonton has been in a bit of a malaise."

The Oilers will visit the Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena, and this is Edmonton’s first game in the arena since their 5-1 loss in Game 6 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final. They also lost Game 7 there the year before. Friedman was pointing to Edmonton entering at 9-9-5, facing a Panthers' team doing better despite two star players missing from the lineup.

Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov and forward Matthews Tkachuk are currently on injured reserve. So, winning this game is really essential for Edmonton, who are on a three-game losing streak and with a goal differential of 14-6 in that stretch.

Friedman said that the Oilers are feeling pressure inside the organization. He believes the team is tired of using last year’s Stanley Cup loss as an excuse.

"I think internally, the heat is really on," Friedman said. "I think it's really on internally, because everybody understands that maybe you don't start the year great, or you've got a bit of the Stanley Cup defeat hangover, but there's a point where that's no longer an excuse, and I think we've reached that. "And so I think the owner is a guy who puts a lot of pressure on the people he works with, and I think everyone's feeling it now. So this, to me, will be a statement night from the Oilers."

According to Friedamn, Edmonton owner Daryl Katz expects more, and that this game is a statement night for Edmonton.

Positives and Negatives for Oilers heading into Saturday's game

Florida has eliminated Edmonton in back-to-back Finals. Injuries, slow starts, and goaltending struggles hurt Edmonton during the 2025 playoff run. The team also missed Zach Hyman, who was out after a wrist injury in the Western Conference Final. Playing from behind became a recurring issue, and Sergei Bobrovsky outperformed Edmonton’s goalies throughout the series.

They lost in Game 6 and looked offensively weak compared to last year when they pushed it to Game 7. Still, there are reasons for optimism. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are once again leading the team's offense with 32 and 27 points, respectively. New additions like Jack Roslovic and Jake Walman are proving much-needed depth beyond the Oilers' star players.

Saturday’s game may not change the past, but it offers Edmonton a chance to respond. With emotions high and pressure rising, the matchup could give another glimpse of the intense rivalry between Edmonton and Florida.

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Edited by Ankit Kumar