Aleksander Barkov had a cut on his hand glued shut after tearing out sutures twice during the Florida Panthers' run to the 2025 Stanley Cup, head coach Paul Maurice told reporters.

The Florida Panthers are back-to-back Stanley Cup champions after a six-game victory against the Edmonton Oilers in a Stanley Cup Final considered an all-time classic. It harbored memories of a unique seven-game Final between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs 80 years ago.

Less than 12 hours after losing to them in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, oddsmakers at a majority of sportsbooks listed the Edmonton Oilers as favorites over the Florida Panthers in the 2026 NHL title series.