The Florida Panthers have shed their underdog label. With a blend of grit, depth, and smart moves, they’ve emerged as true Stanley Cup contenders. Years of near-misses have transformed them into a team built for the postseason.
This season, they have shown their power. They combine physicality with precision, overwhelming opponents with disciplined defense and relentless offense. It’s no longer about surprises—it’s all about execution.
Their rise isn’t by chance. Behind each victory is a strategy years in the making. As they push deeper into the playoffs, the Panthers’ story is one of resilience and identity, proving they’re making their own history in the NHL.
Have the Panthers ever won the Stanley Cup?
The Florida Panthers finally won the Stanley Cup in 2024, marking the first championship in the franchise’s 30-year history. And it wouldn’t take them long to get their hands on the trophy for the second time.
After years of being viewed as underdogs and enduring long playoff droughts, the Panthers triumphed in a dramatic seven-game series against the Edmonton Oilers, with Game 7 played on June 24, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida.
The win was not just a title, it was redemption for a team that had come close before but always fell just short. From their scrappy start in the 1990s to their modern reinvention, they finally roared loud enough to be crowned champions.
But there was even more in store. Only a year after their first title, the Panthers joined the exclusive club of back-to-back NHL champions, beating the Oilers for the second consecutive year to win the Stanley Cup Final again in 2025. This time, it took them six games instead of seven.
When was the last time the Panthers won the Stanley Cup?
The answer is simple — 2025, in their second title, to repeat the feat from 2024. After decades of near-misses and rebuilding phases, the Panthers lifted the Stanley Cup on June 24, 2024, sealing a 4-3 series win over the Oilers. It happened again but on June 17, 2025, with a 4-2 series win against Edmonton.
These championships not only ended the team’s own wait but also added another layer to the rich tapestry of Florida sports history. It’s important to note that before this, Florida had never won a Cup.
Their 2023 run ended in heartbreak after losing to the Vegas Golden Knights, and their 1996 debut in the Final ended in a sweep. So the 2024 victory wasn’t just a first, it was long overdue and savored by players and fans alike. 2025 tasted even better.
Panthers Stanley Cup playoff history
The Panthers’ playoff history reads like a rollercoaster: brief peaks, long droughts and sudden, electric resurgences.
| Year | Playoff Outcome |
| 1996 | Stanley Cup Final (Lost to Avalanche) |
| 1997 | First Round Exit |
| 2000 | First Round Exit |
| 2012 | First Round Exit |
| 2016 | First Round Exit |
| 2020 | Qualifying Round Exit (COVID format) |
| 2021 | First Round Exit |
| 2022 | Second Round (Swept by Lightning) |
| 2023 | Stanley Cup Final (Lost to Golden Knights) |
| 2024 | Stanley Cup Champions |
| 2025 | Stanley Cup Champions |
Notably, the team’s recent postseason surges—from 2022 onward—marked a new era of competitiveness and consistency. With stars like Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk and goalie Sergei Bobrovsky anchoring the roster, the Panthers transitioned from a fringe playoff team to a legitimate contender.
Their 2024 championship wasn’t just a one-time win—it was the culmination of years of restructuring, investing in youth, and committing to a bold, aggressive style of play. This is a team that has earned its place among hockey’s elite, and if the trajectory holds, the best may still be ahead. They proved it again in 2025.