The Biggest Brawls in Stanley Cup Finals History

Though dropping the gloves has become less common in recent NHL seasons, the Stanley Cup Final has still featured some classic bouts along the way.

Big Punches

If you’re a fan of the NHL in general and the Stanley Cup Final in particular, chances are you can recite many of the memorable moments in its history. It was first awarded to the Montreal Amateur Association back in 1893, and what was supposed to recognize the best hockey team in Canada has grown to become as cherished a trophy as there is in all of sports.

As of this writing, we are deep into the 2025 Finals, and a much-anticipated rematch between the defending-champion Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers. With the Panthers having taken a 2-1 lead in the series, they are favored at -246 to win the series according to Stanley Cup Final odds.

We’re legally obligated to remind the readership that a Canadian team hasn’t hoisted the Stanley Cup since the Montreal Canadiens in 1993. The drought is now in its 32nd year, and the True North is not happy.

Edmonton (currently at +206) has home-ice advantage in the NHL schedule, but it now has to win at least once in Florida to maintain that edge.

Circle back to the third game of this season’s Finals, which was one-sided on the scoreboard (Florida, 6-1) and nasty in the latter portion. It ended with 140 penalty minutes (Edmonton 85, Florida 55), ‘gross misconducts’ (along with six ejections and a subsequent five-figure fine) making their way onto the stat sheet.

Just because two teams are battling to hoist the Stanley Cup doesn’t mean fisticuffs are off the table. Historians note any number of Finals fights, even including the goaltenders.

Google such names as Patrick Roy, Mike Vernon, Stan Jonathan, Darren McCarty and Shawn Thornton and it won’t take long to find some fight footage.

Those are just some names chosen by this author. There are others in NHL games…  

Who’s Predicted to Win the Stanley Cup in 2025? 

If the subject is NHL games today and the team favored to win the Stanley Cup, it’s the Florida Panthers. As the defending champs own a 2-1 lead over the Edmonton Oilers, Florida is the solid (-246) wagering choice to close the sale. Edmonton is at +206 (remember odds are fluid).

H3: Who Has Never Won a Stanley Cup?

When the Florida Panthers won the first-ever Stanley Cup last season, it reduced the number of Cup-less franchises to 10. They are (alphabetically) Buffalo Sabres, Columbus Blue Jackets, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, Ottawa Senators, San Jose Sharks, Seattle Kraken, Utah Hockey Club (former Arizona Coyotes). Vancouver Canucks and Winnipeg Jets (both incarnations).

H3: Does BetUS Offer Constant Updates on Stanley Cup Finals Betting Lines?

Indeed. When the playoffs first began in April, it was the defending-champion Florida Panthers as 7-1 (+700) co-favorites, while the Edmonton Oilers were at 9-1 (+900). So, both teams had their share of supporters. 

Edmonton began the Final as a -130 favorite, Florida at +110.

There are also a number of player and team props listed with Stanley Cup Final betting odds, including the biggest individual honor with the Conn Smythe (playoff MVP) Trophy. Florida’s Same Bennett (7-4, [+175]) and Edmonton’s Connor McDavid (+250, [5-2]) were the favorites as of this writing, McDavid having been given the honor a season in a losing cause.

H3: Any Final Thoughts?

Among the great mysteries is why the Stanley Cup Final is singular and the NBA Finals is plural. Perhaps those who start, circulate, or pay attention to NHL rumors have some theories. Regardless, the second installment of the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers has, ahead of Game 4, been a bitterly-contested series.