Stanley Cup stays in Florida. Panthers win back-to-back championships
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Matthew Tkachuk of the Florida Panthers celebrates with the Stanley Cup. Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images
The Florida Panthers have won their second straight Stanley Cup Final, defeating the Edmonton Oilers 5-1 in Game 6 of the championship series Tuesday night.
Why it matters: Florida is a hockey state.
- The Panthers are the first team to win back-to-back Stanley Cups since the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2021.
Meanwhile, a Canadian team hasn't won the Cup since 1993.
Player of the game: Sam Reinhart scored four goals, including two empty-netters, to stamp an exclamation point on the win.
Better at home: The Panthers celebrated their victory in front of the home fans at Amerant Bank Arena, who cheered "We Want Cup!" and sang Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer."
- At Elbo Room on Fort Lauderdale Beach, a popular Panthers bar where players celebrated last year's championship, mini Stanley Cups decorated the bar as fans gathered to watch the game.
- "B**h I'm a champion!" one fan's shirt read.
By the numbers: With their second Stanley Cup, the Panthers are now tied with the Dolphins and Marlins for the second-most championships among Miami sports teams.
- The Heat have three.
Yes, but: The Panthers are the only Miami sports team to win a championship — let alone two — in the last decade.
What's next: It's time to plan another parade along A1A.