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Jets’ Hellebuyck becomes fourth goalie to win MVP

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck became the fourth goalie since 1967 to receive the Hart Trophy and be named the NHL’s MVP for the 2024/25 season.

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The Florida Panthers, who needed 30 years to win their first Stanley Cup championship, can become the ninth NHL team with back-to-back titles.

All they need is a home victory against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 on Tuesday, June 17. The Panthers took a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven Stanley Cup Final with a defensive masterpiece in Game 5.

“The most important thing is to stick with our game,” Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov said. “You don’t need to change anything. … That’s been our whole mindset the whole playoffs. The next game, you have be better than the previous game.”

The Panthers are 3-2 this postseason when they have a chance to close out a series. In last year’s final, the Panthers gave up a 3-0 series lead before winning in Game 7.

The Oilers are counting on their resilience as they try to force a seventh game, which would be on Friday, June 20, in Edmonton, Alberta.

“For some reason when their backs are against up the wall and they’ve hit rock bottom and they’re facing elimination … they play their best and they don’t panic,” Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said.

Stuart Skinner will be back in the Oilers net for Game 6 after Calvin Pickard had played in Game 5.

Here’s what to know about Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers, including how to watch:

Game 6 preview: What Panthers, Oilers need to do to win

When is Stanley Cup Final Game 6? Panthers vs. Oilers game time

The Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers will face off Tuesday, June 17, at 8 p.m. ET at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida.

What TV channel is Panthers vs. Oilers Game 6 on?

TNT and truTV are broadcasting Game 6 of the NHL Stanley Cup Final. Kenny Albert will provide play-by-play, while Eddie Olczyk, Brian Boucher, Darren Pang and Jackie Redmond will provide analysis and reporting.

Stream the 2025 Stanley Cup Final on Sling

How to watch Panthers vs. Oilers Game 6Date: Tuersday, June 17Location: Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, FloridaTime: 8 p.m. ETTV: TNT, truTVStreaming: Max, Sling TV

Streaming is available on Max and Sling TV.

Panthers’ Sergei Bobrovsky (15-7, 2.26 goals-against average, .912 save percentage) vs. Oilers’ Stuart Skinner (7-6, 2.99, .891)

The Panthers have 11 players with double-digit points, led by Sam Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk (22 each), followed by Brad Marchand, Carter Verhaeghe and Aleksander Barkov (20 each). Bennett leads the playoffs with 15 goals.

The Oilers have the top three scorers in the series: Forwards Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid are tied with a league-best 33 points, followed by defenseman Evan Bouchard (23). Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has 20 points and Draisaitl has a team-best 11 goals.

If the Panthers clinch tonight, the Conn Smythe Trophy and Stanley Cup will be presented. If the Oilers win, the teams and trophy will head to Edmonton, Alberta, for Game 7 on Friday, June 20. Here’s what to know about the Stanley Cup.

In addition to Stuart Skinner returning to the net, defenseman John Klingberg is back in the lineup after missing two games. Troy Stecher will come out. Forward Kasperi Kapanen will return after sitting out Game 5, with Viktor Arvidsson coming out.

Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch is giving Stuart Skinner the start in Game 6 with the season on the line after having Calvin Pickard start the previous game.

“Stu’s been in a lot of high-pressure games. He’s played really well,” Knoblauch said. “You look at the amount of elimination games he’s played — I think there’s six last year — and every single game that he played in were really solid if not spectacular performances.”

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins missed the morning skate, but the Oilers are expecting that he will play.

Repeat Game 5 performance: The Panthers put on a defensive gem in Game 5, holding the high-flying Oilers to three shots in the first period and 21 shots overall. The Oilers didn’t score in the 5-2 Panthers win until the third period when they were down 3-0.

Get the early lead: They’ve outscored the Oilers 7-0 in the first period over the last three games. It didn’t help them in Game 4 as Edmonton staged a major rally. But it’s easier for the Panthers to play their style when they have the lead.

Take advantage of the last line change: The Panthers are best when rolling lines. But they should try to get center Aleksander Barkov and defenseman Gustav Forsling out against Connor McDavid when possible, especially when the Oilers use McDavid and Leon Draisaitl together.

Remember last year: The Oilers, who fell behind 3-0 in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, dug down and won three consecutive games before losing in Game 7. They only have to win two in a row this year for their first title since 1990. They have it in them.

Stay out of the penalty box: The Oilers were short-handed four times in the first period of Game 3 and three times in the first period of Game 4. They gave up a combined three power-play goals. They were more disciplined in Game 5.

Key an eye on Brad Marchand: The 37-year-old has been spectacular in the Panthers’ wins. He had two breakaway goals in Game 2, including in overtime. He scored 56 seconds into Game 3. He scored twice in Game 5, splitting the Oilers defense off a faceoff win at center ice for his first goal. He scored his second goal after a high-skilled move around defenseman Jake Walman.

The 12 countries in the 2026 Winter Classic named their first six players on June 16..

Five players are playing key roles in the Stanley Cup Final – Edmonton’s Connor McDavid (Canada) and Leon Draisaitl (Germany), plus Florida’s Aleksander Barkov (Finland), Matthew Tkachuk (USA) and Sam Reinhart (Canada).

McDavid scored the winning goal in overtime at the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Panthers lead seies 3-2

All times Eastern; (x-if necessary)

Game 1: Oilers 4, Panthers 3 (OT) | StoryGame 2:  Panthers 5, Oilers 4 (2OT) | StoryGame 3: Panthers 6, Oilers 1 | StoryGame 4: Oilers 5, Panthers 4 (OT) | StoryGame 5: Panthers 5, Oilers 2 | StoryGame 6: Tuesday, June 17, Edmonton at Florida | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTVx-Game 7: Friday, June 20, Florida at Edmonton | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV

All odds via BetMGM (as of Tuesday, June 17, 3 p.m. ET)

Spread: Panthers by 1.5Moneyline: Panthers -160; Oilers +135Over/Under: 6.5

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